Suzuki pulls out from Malaysia, consolidates with Proton



Following Proton’s announcement of a strategic partnership with Suzuki, the Japanese manufacturer has finally announced its consolidation with Proton. With that, all sales of Suzuki cars have been ceased, with all 29 Suzuki dealerships in Malaysia converted into Proton Edar outlets. The announcement was made during the signing ceremony to appoint former Suzuki dealers as new Proton dealers earlier today.

The rationalisation of Suzuki Malaysia Automobile (SMA) is expected to be completed within a year. Also to note, all existing Suzuki owners are able to service their cars and obtain their warranties with Suzuki genuine parts at these outlets. At the same time, the former Suzuki dealers will be selling Proton cars as well.

Click at the images below to know who are the 29 dealers:

On the other hand, Proton and Suzuki have confirmed that a jointly-developed new model will be made into production before 2017. Proton’s Chairman Tun Dr.Mahathir revealed that the new Proton car will not be based on any existing Suzuki models sold in Malaysia.

Since Proton has yet to come up with an A-Segment model, there’s a likelihood the next Proton model, together with Suzuki’s technology and expertise in making small cars, will be a city compact car smaller than the Iriz. The car is also expected to be assembled in Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant, as Suzuki’s assembly plant in Pekan has already been shut down.

Proton’s new city compact car could be smaller than the Iriz

Should the new Proton-Suzuki model arrives before 2017, it seems 2016 will be a quite a hectic year for Proton. With the imminent launch of the new Perdana and replacements for both Saga and Persona models slated for release sometime this year, it seems that the tide could turn for the better for Proton in the coming few years.