Suzuki
Malaysia Automobile Sdn. Bhd. Ventures Into The Export Market
Pekan, Pahang, 29th April 2010
– Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn. Bhd. announced its venture to
export the Suzuki Swift at a Flag Off event today. Suzuki Malaysia will
embark on the first expansion of Suzuki Swift to Brunei via Boustead
Cars Sdn. Bhd., one of the leading automotive distributors in Brunei.
Suzuki Malaysia Automobile was established in December 2004 to import
and market Suzuki automobiles. The company commenced the operations in
the selling of Suzuki automobiles as the authorized distributor in May
2005. With a view to further establish and promote Suzuki automobiles
in Malaysia, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and Itochu Corporation
entered into a joint venture agreement with DRB-HICOM in early 2008 on
a 40:20:40 shareholding ratio.
The distribution of Suzuki Swift by Suzuki Malaysia to Brunei was a
congruent decision as the country held a thriving TIV record of 12,264
units in year 2009 alone and sales performance of Suzuki in Brunei
contributed to a total of approximately 9.3% which placed Suzuki at the
2nd position in total market share.
The Completely Knock-Down (CKD) of the Suzuki Swift started its full
assembly operations at HICOM Automotive Manufacturer Malaysia (HAMM),
subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Berhad in April 2007. To date, HAMM had
produced in total 10,600 units of Swift and target to achieve
production of 500 units a month as of financial year 2010/2011.
Suzuki Malaysia is confident in fulfilling the monthly volume for the
export market base on the track record achieved for domestic demand.
The export to Brunei is a testimony to the quality and efficiency of
Suzuki Malaysia’s capacity for local assembly; with full
compliance to global standards set by Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki
Malaysia invested in total RM30.3 million in the set up and production
facilities at the plant to ensure top quality for each car produced.
“We see a potential to grow the market share of Suzuki in Brunei
with the help of Boustead Cars Sdn. Bhd. The export to Brunei is
carefully planned by stages. We have taken cautious steps to control
and analyze the export market before planning a further expansion in
volume and location for export.” added En. Ibrahim Maidin.
The promising performance was due to the tremendous market response to
the locally-assembled Suzuki Swift 1.5L which was launched in July 2007
and the three CBU models such as the Swift Sport, Grand Vitara 4x2 and
the SX4 Sport Crossover.
“I am happy to announce that Suzuki Malaysia had achieved
fantastic results in the last financial year. We have achieved a total
registered volume of 5,588 units in Financial Year 2009/10. Suzuki
Malaysia reaped a total growth of 13% in the last financial year, which
totaled to an increase of 659 units compared to financial year
2008/2009. This is a formidable growth for Suzuki Malaysia despite the
global economic downturn”, says En. Ibrahim Maidin Managing
Director Suzuki Malaysia Automobile Sdn. Bhd.
The Suzuki Swift alone, contributed to an approximate 70% in total
sales. This particular variant alone garnered 40% of the total market
share in the sub compact passenger category. The product variant had
won the hearts of the local consumers due its stylish design, excellent
features such as the Keyless Entry & Start, Auto Retractable Side
Mirrors with signal Indicators, Luggage Room Utility and the
competitive price range in the non national passenger car category. It
is evident to the company that the demand for Swift had increased
locally and deemed to be an opportunity to expand its market share to
neighboring regions.
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