KUALA LUMPUR: Former Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) managing director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar has been appointed chief operating officer of Naza Kia Sdn Bhd.

He will assume his position at Naza Kia on Oct 1, according to a statement issued yesterday by Naza Kia, which is the official distributor of Kia Motor vehicles in Malaysia.

Syed Hafiz, who retired from his position at Perodua at end-2009 after five years, takes over from Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir, who left Naza Kia at end-August to join UMW Holdings Bhd as president and CEO.

Naza Group joint group executive chairman SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said Syed Hafiz was the best person to carry on where Syed Hisham left off.

“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,” he said.

Prior to joining Perodua, Syed Hafiz spent 10 years in various capacities at the UMW group. During his tenure at Perodua, Syed Hafiz led the national carmaker to new heights, including becoming the best-selling brand in the country, a position which it still holds today.

He was judged the “Automotive Man of the Year 2009” at the NST/Maybank Car of the Year awards last year.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, September 22, 2010.