Next Bike Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of the Ducati brand in Malaysia, has set a target of 15 per cent sales from the northern region in relation to total sales of the motorcycle in Malaysia.

Naza Motor Group Vice President, Two Wheels Division, Nik Danial Nik Mahmood, said Ducati was among the top premium models in Malaysia and the number of owners had reached 1,500 nationwide.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the first Ducati 3S (Sales, Sevice and Spare Parts) Centre in the northern region here today, he said the group planned to open two more centres in Johor Baharu and Kuching early next year.

"We already have two in Kuala Lumpur and one in Sungai Buloh (Selangor).

This (Penang) is the fourth. We will open the centre in Johor Bahru and Kuching early next year and also plan to expand to the east coast in 2015.

"There is a need to be close to our customers. We want to bring the Ducati experience to them, instead of having to travel to Kuala Lumpur to buy the motorcycle," he added.

Also present was Ducati Asia General Manager Pierfrancesco Scalzo and Director of the Ducati Penang Showroom, Kheoh Hock Seng.

Nik Danial said the group has invested about RM1.5 million in the four-storey, 929.03 sq m (10,000 sq ft)building which houses a showroom with the complete range of Ducati models, including the Monster, Diavel, Hypermotard, Hyperstrada, Multistrada, 899 Panigale and 1199 Panigale.

The centre is also fully equipped with an after-sales service unit with up to six service bays.

All the technicians have been specially trained by Ducati, to provide owners with professional support, when it comes to proper maintenance.

The centre, located at Jalan Datuk Keramat here, is open from 10am to 8pm (Monday to Saturday) and from 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday.