Automobile giant Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd is now eyeing the budget car market as it launched its new 1.1 litre compact car, Sutera. today.

The Sutera is meant for the local and overseas markets, said Naza group chairperson and chief executive officer SM Nasimuddin Amin.

Priced at RM35,998 on the road, the Sutera is expected to give national carmakers Proton and Perodua a run for their money.

Domestic sales of the Sutera this year is projected at 20,000 units.

Second plant

Export agreements has thus far been inked with dealers from Malta, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Nepal and Singapore.

The launch of the Sutera was officiated by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who also witness the ground-breaking ceremony of Naza's second automotive plant in Bertam.

The RM1.3 billion plant is expected to be completed in 2007 and would see the creation of 4,000 jobs and another 6,000 more for its vendors.

The Bertam plant is expected to be fully operational by 2008, producing the Sutera and three other models, tentatively codenamed NX02, NX03 and NX04.