KUALA LUMPUR: Italian motorcycle and scooter manufacturer Piaggio is working with Naza Group on the prospects of setting up a regional hub for the Aprilia brand in Malaysia.
“As we prepare for greater growth throughout Asean, we are looking at setting up a regional hub for the Aprilia brand in Malaysia,” said Piaggio Asia Pacific Ltd managing director Simone Niccolai at the launch of the completely-knocked-down (CKD) Aprilia Shiver 750 model, here, yesterday.
Niccolai said the partnership with Naza Group was an important step in Piaggio’s strategy to continue expanding its operations in Asia and Asean, where the group has been successful with the sales of its Vespa and Piaggio scooters.
Aprilia Shiver 750 is the first Italian motorcycle to be locally assembled through a partnership between Naza Premira Sdn Bhd and Piaggio Asia Pacific Ltd.
Naza Bikes Sdn Bhd, the local distributor of Aprilia motorcycles, is confident of selling up to 600 Aprilia Shiver 750 units next year.
Its prices start from RM43,888 each.
Naza Bikes head of company Mohd Rishalizam Mohd Noor said the motorcycles would be assembled at the Naza Premira plant in Shah Alam, with an initial production capacity of 1,200 units.
Naza Group has invested RM5 million to develop the CKD operations.