Signing on behalf of PROTON was YBhg Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of PROTON, on behalf of Suzuki was Mr Osamu Suzuki, Chairman & CEO of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan whilst on behalf of DRB-HICOM was YBhg Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed, Chief Operating Officer, Automotive Distribution & Manufacturing. The event was graced by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Mustapha Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, PROTON Chairman and former Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honourable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and His Excellency Makio Miyagawa, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia. Also present were Yang Berhormat Datuk Ir. Haji Hamim Samuri, Deputy Minister of International Trade & Industri and YBhg Dato’ Syed Mohamad Syed Murtaza, Chairman of DRB-HICOM and a Board Member of PROTON.
The spirit of the collaboration encompasses four main areas which are products, technology, people and market. With this collaboration, it would allow PROTON to have access to the models, platforms, powertrain and automotive technology of Suzuki. Suzuki will then provide the specific technical assistance for the products and scope selected.
"Suzuki is strong for its technology and expertise in producing smaller engine segments, especially in the A and B segments categories that would complement PROTON Long Range Product Plan. We look forward to the collaboration as this gives us the opportunity to tap into each other's strengths which can result in the maximising of volume potentials, reduction of development lead time and expediting the time-to-market for both companies. Suzuki is a renowned global strategic partner and has presence in 13 countries operating via 19 plants. What more to say, Suzuki has also sold approximately 3 million cars in a year globally. This is proven with its 45% market share in India for FY2014/15 through its collaboration with Maruti." said Dato' Harith.
"We are truly excited with this collaboration as the relationship between the DRB-HICOM Group, our parent company, and Suzuki has long been built, one that dates back to 1983. The technology advancement, in terms of powertrain engineering for the smaller engine segment vehicles would help complete the offerings of the different segment of vehicles for PROTON with the adoption of features and specification. This can help us meet regulatory and market requirements while we greatly reduce our R&D and production costs," Dato' Harith added.
“The collaboration is also in line with the National Automotive Policy (“NAP”) as PROTON continues to develop and produce products with features that meet international standards and requirements. The partnership is consistent with the NAP as having a strong and renowned global automotive player like Suzuki as the foreign strategic partner to PROTON will provide PROTON the opportunity to grow internationally leveraging on Suzuki’s presence worldwide,” continued Dato’ Harith.
"A collaborative like this is common in the automotive industry where car companies work together to reduce cost, optimise operations and realise market potentials. The first phase of the project is scheduled to start production in the next 16 months and the production will take place at the PROTON Tanjung Malim plant," ended Dato' Harith.
The collaboration will also see all three parties working together to rationalise Suzuki’s presence in Malaysia. Currently, Suzuki is operating through its co-owned subsidiary, Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn Bhd (“SMA”). SMA is owned by DRB-HICOM (40%), Suzuki (40%), and Itochu Corporation (20%). The rationalisation is expected to be completed within one year after the signing.
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