Project T73 is on its way!!!

Nasim Sdn. Bhd. has recently signed a master agreement for the production of Peugeot cars codename T73 C-segment sedan which will be built at Naza Automotive Manufacturing plant in Gurun Kedah.  Though it is still unofficial, the codename T73 has been rumoured to be the newly launched Peugeot 408 that has make its appearance earlier this year in the Chinese market.  Nasim has stated the they are planning to produce 60,000 units of vehicle over a five year period beginning early 2012 with 60% of the sales planned for export to other right hand drive countries in Asean as well as other right hand drive market in this region. Head on after the jump for a full press release from Nasim Sdn. Bhd.

Full Press release

Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia, will produce 60,000 units of a new Peugeot C-segment sedan over a five-year period beginning 2012 and ending in 2016.

Nasim and Automobiles Peugeot recently signed a Master Agreement for the production of the new C-segment sedan, codenamed T73, which will be built at the Naza Automotive Manufacturing plant in Gurun, Kedah.

The Master Agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur by En SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Nasim, and Mr Gregoire Olivier, CEO of Asian Operations for PSA Group.

Of the 60,000 units produced, some 60% will be exported to other right-hand drive countries in Asean as well as markets outside of the region.

“With the signing of the T73 Master Agreement, we will be one step closer to making Malaysia Peugeot’s production hub for the region. The T73 is slated to be launched in early 2012 and we believe this car will help grow the Peugeot brand significantly in Malaysia and in the region,” said SM Nasarudin.

He added Nasim also has aspirations to develop Malaysia into the parts distribution hub for Peugeot for Asean and Pacific countries.

Earlier in January this year, Nasim was appointed by Automobiles Peugeot to spearhead its expansion plans in Asean by making Malaysia its manufacturing hub for right-hand drive markets in the region.

The new 207 was the first car to be launched under this agreement. It was launched in Malaysia on Nov 3 while an initial batch of the Malaysian-made car has already been exported to Thailand.

It was launched in Thailand on Nov 10 by its distributor there, European Motor Cars Co Ltd, and is being featured at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo from Dec 1 to Dec 12.

Nasim has received an initial order of 44 units of the new 207 for the Thai market. Delivery of the initial order began in November and is targeted to be completed by January 2011. More units of the 207 are expected to be exported to Thailand in 2011 as demand picks up.

Following Thailand, Nasim intends to begin exporting the new 207 to Indonesia, Brunei and Sri Lanka in the first quarter of 2011. The new 207 is currently on display at the 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) until Dec 12, 2010.