Tan Sri Nasimuddin Amin, who died after a long battle with cancer at the age of 53 today, was one of the most successful car czars of Malaysia.
The Negeri Sembilanese was the Chief Executive Officer of the Naza Group of Companies which is the franchise holder of Ferrari, Kia, Peugeot, Brabus, Hamann and Ducati motor brands in Malaysia.
Naza, formed in 1974, also imports Mercedes-Benz and Mazda vehicles. The group of companies not only imports and manufactures motor vehicles but also operates hotels (in Malaysia and the USA), develops property (Tun Dr Ismail township in Kuala Lumpur) and sells insurance.
Nasimuddin, who was born on January 25, 1955 in Kuala Pilah, the royal town of Negeri Sembilan, began his automotive business when he was 21.
A year later he made his first million Ringgit by importing used cars from Japan.
He once said: "I have always loved cars since my teenage years. That is why I am in this business. My father's construction business was not my cup of tea."
Nasimuddin was a dear friend of former Deputy Prime Minister the late Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba, who also hailed from Kuala Pilah, and former International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz from Taiping in Perak.
