For the first time in history, Peugeot has claimed the top spot among European makes in Malaysia. In the first quarter ending March 31, 2011, Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of the Peugeot marque in Malaysia, sold 1,538 units which represented a sterling 167% jump from the 576 units sold in the same period in 2010.
Peugeot's sales volume in the first quarter gave the French lion a leading market share of 26% among European brands in the market, according to the latest figures released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).
“This is a milestone for the marque in Malaysia and for Nasim after being appointed distributor for Peugeot in 2008,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Nasim. “We thank our customers, dealers, vendors and partners all over the country, for having faith in our revival of the brand. This could not have been done without the support of the Malaysian government, and the decisive move by Automobiles Peugeot in making Malaysia their right-hand-drive production hub".
He said the sales volume recorded in the first quarter of this year by Nasim are in line with the company's annual sales target of 7,000 units. He added the company will launch two more models this year that will help Nasim achieve its annual sales target.
Peugeot’s most popular model in the first quarter, the 308 contributed 38% of sales, selling 588 units (Q1 2010: 458). This represented an increase of 28% while the 207 sedan sold 537 units (35% of sales). Another 15% of Nasim's sales in the first quarter came from the 3008, with 237 units. Peugeot vehicles sold in Malaysia are manufactured at Naza Automotive Manufacturing in Gurun, Kedah. Nasim registered 2,562 units in 2010.
“With demand for European makes on the rise in Malaysia, Peugeot is now being viewed in a different light”, explained Dato’ Samson Anand George, chief operating officer of Nasim. “We are optimistic about the future and will introduce five new sales and service outlets, increasing our network size to 23 nationwide. Our Q1 sales result, along with the upcoming introduction of two new models puts us on the right track towards achieving our sales target of 7000 units this year.”
Peugeot vehicles sold in Malaysia are manufactured at Naza Automotive Manufacturing in Gurun, Kedah. The plant is preparing to roll out a C-segment sedan codenamed T73. The plan is to make 60,000 units of the T73 over a five-year period from 2012 to 2016, with some 60% set aside for export to right hand drive markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand and right-hand-drive countries in Africa .
“Exports will eventually outnumber domestic sales, and as a brand we will be actually contributing positively to the automotive trade balance”, emphasised Nasarudin.
source: Nasim Sdn. Bhd.
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