The Naza group, the new and exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, aims to boost sales of the US-based auto brand in Malaysia by introducing new Chevrolet models.

Naza is targeting to sell 1,600 Chevrolet vehicles this year, underpinned by sales of the Cruze that it expects to launch in the second quarter, according to Naza group of companies joint executive chairman and chief executive officer Datuk SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin. "We expect to sell 1,200 to 1,500 units of the Chevrolet Cruze this year," he said after signing a distributor sales and service agreement with US-based car manufacturer General Motors Corp (GM).

Faisal said Naza was looking to introduce a full line-up of Chevrolet vehicles but declined to say what potential models were in the pipeline.
Datuk SM Faisal 'We expect to sell 1,200 to 1,500 units of the Chevrolet Cruze this year.' But Naza Motor Trading Chevrolet country director Sanjeev Garg said the Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck could be introduced some time next year.

The agreement with GM will see unlisted Naza establishing and maintaining a network of dealers to promote, sell and service Chevrolet vehicles, including the sale of parts and accessories. Should Naza achieve its forecast target this year, the sales of Chevrolets will almost triple compared to the 564 units that were sold in Malaysia in 2009.

"We'll be putting in more than enough resources to push the brand," Faisal said, without elaborating. Sanjeev noted that the Cruze, a compact sedan, was "the leading product in its segment" in several markets in the Asia Pacific region. He said 10,000 to 12,000 units of the Cruze were sold each month in China while 800 to 1,200 units were sold monthly in India.

In Singapore, between 100 and 150 units of the Cruze are sold each month while Australia records 2,000 units sold every month, according to Sanjeev. Meanwhile, Faisal said Naza was also exploring the possibility of starting completely-knocked-down operations for certain Chevrolet vehicles by 2011 through the group's assembly plant in Gurun, Kedah.

"We will explore ways to develop the local assembly of Chevrolet vehicles in Malaysia, including manufacturing and export of these vehicles to the regional market," he said, adding that Naza was aiming to increase the number of Chevrolet dealerships in Malaysia to 18 sales, service and spare parts centres by the end of the year from eight currently.

All 18 outlets will be 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centres, of which five will be Naza's own branches, according to Faisal. Other than Chevrolet, Naza is currently also the country's main distributor for automotive marques Ferrari, Peugeot, Kia, Brabus and Maserati.