Nasim Sdn Bhd aims to capture market share with new Peugeot 408

KOTA KINABALU: Nasim Sdn Bhd is eyeing to capture some of the market share in their untapped sedan C-segment in Sabah with the launch of its all new Peugeot 408 at Auto Gallery, 1Borneo Hypermall here yesterday.

Its general manager for dealer operations department, Nazman Shah Yusof, speaking at the launching expressed confidence that the new model which comes in two variants 2.0cc and 1.6cc turbo would be ideal for young professionals with family who are looking for a car that offers space, performance and elegance.

And to boost the market share, he said they would provide after sales service and offer five years’ warranty of unlimited mileage to improve the resale value of the cars.

He said the Peugeot brand entered the market here in an aggressive way one year ago in partnership with Angkatan Hebat Sdn Bhd, who would provide the maintenance services to the car.

And since then, he said the line of models rolled out by Peugeot coupled with its attractive pricing package has seen them capture some of the traditional Japanese market.

“We have worked hard at producing a car with quality that meets Peugeot’s high standard and even invested RM30 million on a robotic assembly line, and the brand distributors from over 10 countries visited our plant two weeks ago and have already placed their orders for the car,” enthused Nazman, whose company had franchised the brand in 2008.

We have set a target of producing 40,000 to 60,000 units of the 408 over a five year period with an aim to export 60 per cent to markets within Asean and elsewhere, he stated.

The 408 are expected to sell over 9,000 units in 2012 in Malaysia while 120 units are expected to be contributed by Sabah. To date, over RM500 million were invested in building the Peugeot brand in the country, he said.

In the coming months, he said eight new outlets offering better service to customers will be launched nationwide while in Sabah two new outlets will be opened in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu this year.

Angkatan Hebat group executive deputy chairman Datuk Dr Nabijan Ajaz Ahmad, said the service centre at Angkatan Hebat has the capacity to handle up to eight cars a day for all the models including the latest one.

Meanwhile, potential customers will be given the opportunity to test drive the full range of Peugeot models on May 26-28 and June 2-3 at Auto Gallery. All the customers need to do is just walk in to the gallery and make the appointment from 9am to 8pm.

The on-the-road price for the Peugeot 408 2.0cc is RM111,942.50 and 1.6cc turbo is RM127,961.50.