NAZA UPBEAT ON DUCATI SALES

Company says performance will be driven by introduction of 9 new models

NAZA Group achieved one-third of its fullyear sales target for Ducati motorcycles in the first quarter, said group executive chairman SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin.

The group had targeted to sell

380 units this year, he said.

Naza Group sold more than 300 Ducati motorcycles last year, beating its sales target of 230 units.

SM Nasarudin, who is also Naza Corp Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer (CEO), said the 380-unit target was achievable with the launch of nine new models by subsidiary Naza Bike Sdn Bhd at a ceremony last night.

Also present were Italian ambassador to Malaysia Cristiano Maggipinto, Naza Corp automotive group deputy CEO R. Devaraju and Ducati Motor Asian market director Dominique Cheraki.

Naza Bike’s new Ducati lineup consists of the Panigale V4 R, Diavel 1260 S, Hypermotard 950, Multistrada 950 S and Multistrada 1260 Enduro, and the all-new Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Full Throttle, Scrambler Desert Sled and Scrambler Café Racer.

They were first unveiled at the Ducati World Premiere 2019 in Milan and later displayed at the International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition.

“As the epitome of all-Italian excellence, the Ducati brand offers a wide range of state-ofthe-art bikes crafted to perfection based on the Ducati core values of style, sophistication and performance,” said SM Nasarudin.

“With this massive line-up, we are confident that we will achieve our 2019 sales target of over 300 bikes this year.”

He added that the group planned to start building a modern Ducati facility cum Naza Bikes headquarters in Petaling Jaya by September.

It expects to set aside a RM3 million capital expenditure for the facility.

Naza Group also plans to open a new Ducati 3S centre costing RM700,00 in Johor Baru in the third quarter.