Naza Unveils The Ultimate Superbike - “ The Ducati 1198 ” - Naza open second Ducati centre in Naza Autoworld TTDI Plaza
Kuala Lumpur, 18th May 2009 – Next Bike Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Naza Group of Companies, the sole importer and distributor for Ducati motorbikes in Malaysia, proudly opened the doors to its second Ducati Flagship showroom on the first floor of the 28,000 sq ft Naza Autoworld Complex which was built at a cost of RM25 million at TTDI Plaza in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail. The three storey Complex’s opening will be officiated by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Yg Bhg Dato’ Ahmad Fuad bin Ismail. Present at the ceremony was Group Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Naza Group of Companies, En. SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin and CEO Ducati Asia Pacific, Mr Mirko Bordiga. The Italian Ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Mr. Allesandro Bussaca, Naza Group Vice President Operation, Yg Bhg Dato’ SM Zulkifli SM Amin and Next Bike General Manager, En Ahmad Rusly Yaacob were on hand to witness the Plaque signing ceremony and the unveiling of the Ducati 1198 superbike. The second Ducati showroom opening marks a major growth for Next Bike, after nine years of operations since getting the distributorship rights in Malaysia in November 2000.
This opening marks a new chapter in the development for Next Bike and the Naza Group. SM Faisal, Group Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Naza Group of Companies and Next Bike CEO said, “This is a significant milestone for Next Bike as we move to retail our products beyond a common showroom, and we hope the opening of this second showroom for Ducati will be the pre cursor of many more of Ducati bikes on Malaysian roads. The centre for this Italian marque was set-up to meet the growing interest for the Ducati motorcycles and to provide a more convenient location for fans and customers to experience the Ducati passion. Next Bike is proud to be able to bring the complete spectrum of the Ducati motorcycles, especially the ultimate superbike Ducati 1198 and the 1198S, which were both recently launched at the Portimao track in Portugal.”
SM Faisal added “This is not only a showroom for Ducati; it is a place that allows every Ducati enthusiast to get in touch with the Ducati world in Malaysia, offering premium experience and possibility to touch the dream.” SM Faisal, the eldest son of the late Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin managed to capture the signature touches and cultures of the Brand. He said this is a tribute to his late father who has introduced this brand to Malaysians nine years ago. Today, he is expanding the great passion for such exciting motorbikes with a commitment to continue his late father’s work.
The CEO of Ducati Asia Pacific, Mr Mirko Bordiga said: ‘’I’m very excited to attend the launch of the 1198 and 1198S in this brand new showroom in Malaysia. This iconic and dynamic city in Asia is definitely the right place to be in. I am sure this technological jewel will exceed the expectations of the Malaysian riders. We feel privileged to have a partner who shares the same passion as we do at Ducati and that is a highly valuable feature, which will undoubtedly assure our market success here in Malaysia. The 1198 and 1198S carry more features coming from our racing experience than any other model before, they are products of a team of designers and engineers who have combined their Ducati MotoGP and World SuperBike technologies to create the finest sport bikes in the world.’’
Next Bike is committed in bringing in a comprehensive product line up in this segment which vary in the product’s technical and design features; Superbikes, Dual purpose bikes, street bikes and classic bikes with models such as Ducati Sport Classic, Monster, Hypermotard, Multistrada, and the new 1198. The Ducati showroom also features a full range of accessories, apparel and a club area for riders and fans to meet, mingle, share and indulge in their passion for all things related to Ducati.
SM Faisal added, “This second Ducati centre is expected to contribute 30% of the total sales of Ducati bikes in Malaysia for Next Bike, which expects to retail 120 Ducati bikes in 2009 from its full Ducati product range from the Monster, Hypermotard and the Superbikes series. The new 1198 has proven a major success even before the official launch, with several bikes of those allocated to Malaysia already pre-sold. We hope the 13 units we will receive from Borgo Panigale will last until the next shipment”. Indeed, SM Faisal has further grown this international brand to Malaysian and this young “Automotive icon” has more vision in mind in the cars and bikes segment in continuing his late father’s legacy in expanding the automotive arena. SM Faisal’s automotive business divisions are represented in the wide range of makes, categories and value chain of the automotive industry.
When asked about the business potential of the companies under his care during the current economic climate, Faisal who have had a 13 year experience in the group said, “There will always be demand for good products and services and currently, Naza is continuously able to provide facilities that showcase a range of vehicles and bikes with multiple brands and services being made available to the consumers.” He adds that the factors that are going to make the difference is the Group’s bid to increase its market share in the various fields that it is involved in. The Naza Group is taking aggressive moves to position its companies so as to be ready to take advantage of the situation once the economy rebounds.
SM Faisal has been working for the Naza group for the past thirteen years and is the person responsible for Naza’s operation for the past six years. He is known for being the person behind Naza’s own brand products entry which was first introduced to Malaysians six years ago. Faisal has since successfully launched four important Naza’s own products into the Malaysian market. He said, “I managed to diversify and launched Naza’s first own brand ‘market entry’ vehicle, the ‘Naza Ria’ in 2003 being the first MPV assembled at the Naza Plant in Gurun and the second Naza vehicle, ‘Naza Citra’ the first mini MPV launched in 2005, whilst the first two motorcycles assembled in Shah Alam were the ‘Symphony’ and the ‘Gemilang’ launched in 2003. Since its incorporation, Naza Bikes has successfully introduced 12 different models of motor bikes and was the first Malaysian manufacturer to introduce big bikes within the 250cc to 650cc range at affordable prices for the local market. Two weeks ago, we have successfully exported Naza’s own bikes to Iran and Brunei, with many more countries to be added to the list in the coming months”.
SM Faisal added, “Continuing from the success of my six years operational record and the exporting of Naza Bikes to Iran and Brunei recently, today, Naza Group have also further extended Ducati retailing and distribution together with other international car makes within the group Looking at the overall 23 companies under my supervision, we are working towards further contribution, investment and growth in the Malaysian Automotive industry. This is in tandem with the Naza Group vision and Naza’s own history and aligned with my late father’s aspiration”.
This ceremony signifies SM Faisal’s commitment in consolidating Naza Group’s footing in the multiple automotive sector from manufacturing, assembling, distribution and exporting of its own Naza brand bikes to providing Malaysians with a variety of international automotive cars and bikes marques. The Naza Autoworld complex in TTDI Plaza houses NazaWorld a brand for a variety of mixed imported models, car makes and now the Ducati showroom. This is similar in concept to the current Naza Automall in Petaling Jaya which is managed by Naza Properties.
Next Bike has spared no expense in ensuring that this impressive centre caters to the lifestyle of its Ducati clientele. The contemporary design allows new owners to select the bike of their choice in complete comfort and luxury. The showroom reflects the height of luxury presented to discerning motorbike owners that allows their new prestigious acquisition to truly be a reflection of their unique individuality.
Service and maintenance of Ducati Motorcycles will be handled at Next Bike 4,000 sq ft 4 ‘S’ centre in Naza Automall Petaling Jaya that features 5 service bays, special Ducati tools and the latest Ducati diagnostic systems to service and maintain Ducati motorcycles of all ages. A special service lounge is also available for owners to relax while their bikes are being serviced.
SM Faisal declared, “Ducati was established in 1926 in Bologna, in the region of Emilia Romagna in Italy. The company started from being a small, family run business producing small radio components to being an international motorcycle corporation and entertainment brand worldwide. Today, Ducati produces racing-inspired motorcycles with unique engine features, innovative designs, advance engineering and overall technical excellence. Ducati racing is the pinnacle of excellence in the MotoGP World Championship and the Superbike Championship.”
For the enthusiasts who live and breathe the Ducati rich history, lifestyle and culture or are passionate about the brand, Next Bike offers a treasure trove of merchandise comprising the full spectrum of Ducati and Ducati Corse paraphernalia, from fashion wear and premiums gifts to miniature bikes and lifestyle equipment that appeal to the young as well as the young-at-heart.
Naza Group has taken the initiative just a month ago, in line with the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak’s vision of increasing efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in the Government and private sector. Recently, the group has signed a collaborate agreement with Motorola to avail the various human capital program offered by Motorola University to the Naza Group’s workforce including Next Bike employees in leadership development, lean manufacturing, customer driven total solutions and the human capital Program series.
“As a bumiputera company, we are committed to enhance companies within the Group to an operational level at par with global stature in Malaysia and global commerce. The Motorola programs would be made available to employees of all 23 automotive and non-automotive companies under my care, to imbue the spirit of competitiveness and desire to perform and deliver. This gels very well with the recent Government proposal.” said SM Faisal.
With the opening of this second centre, visitors will be greeted with an array of bikes ranging from the monsters to superbikes to the sport classics on display, as well as a wide range of accessories to further customize and enhance their bikes especially those wanting to have everything DUCATI. The showroom is built on a concept of relaxation while focusing on the products on display where the placements of sofas are circularly aligned centered towards each bike models. The new DUCATI centre at TTDI is set to be a benchmark for the ‘Ultimate biking showroom’ first-of-its-kind in Malaysia.
For Malaysians, we are privileged to be able to catch the Ducati racing phenomenon here at the Sepang track. Annually, Malaysia’s MotoGP World Championship will be a testament for Ducati similar to its World Superbike Championships unprecedented winnings, the most recent of which was claimed in the 2008 season, thanks to the amazing performance of Troy Bayliss, who completed his hat trick of three World Champion titles on the back of a Ducati. Recently, The Ducati MotoGP Team and the Desmosedici GP9 were officially presented to the public and the press during Wroom 2009. The team officially welcomed Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner. Out of the 18 races, one of the races would be in Sepang in October 2009. This Bologna manufacturer has thus won fifteen of the last eighteen World SBK titles and more individual victories than all its opponents put together. In addition, Ducati made an impressive return to MotoGP in 2003, topped off with Casey Stoner's spectacular World Title secured just four years later in 2007. Ducati Corse was created with the main aim of uniting all the sporting activities of Ducati under one roof. Ducati is the marque of champions - among them Lucchinelli, Polen, Roche, Hailwood, Falappa, Corser, Fogarty, Bayliss, Stoner and Capirossi - and a living racing legend for all of its fans.
Next Bike expects the showrooms in Petaling Jaya and in Taman Tun Dr Ismail to be a major attraction to Ducati customers, fans and enthusiasts in Malaysia as everyone is welcomed to the Malaysian ‘home’ of Ducati. For private viewing, test drive appointments and for more insight into the Next Bike Ducati products, please contact Next Bike at +603-79603539 or +603-79604842 or visit www.naza.com.my/ducati