Naza-Kia appoints Syed Hafiz as new COO
Naza-Kia, official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, today announced the appointment of former Perodua Managing Director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Syed Hafiz, whose experience includes 10 years in various positions in the UMW Group before being selected to helm Perodua, will commence his duties at Naza-Kia beginning 1 October 2010. His predecessor, Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir, left the company to take up the posts of President and CEO of UMW Holdings Bhd.
“We believe Datuk Syed Hafiz is the best person to carry on where Datuk Syed Hisham left off,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of the Naza Group of Companies.
“Datuk Syed Hafiz brings with him a vast wealth of experience and hands-on knowledge that will bring the Kia brand to the next level in Malaysia,” Nasarudin added.
Under Syed Hafiz’s watch, Perodua moved to occupy the top spot of the country’s automotive sales charts, a position it has yet to relinquish. Before his retirement from Perodua, he was named the “Automotive Man of the Year 2009” at the NST/Maybank Car of the Year awards.
