More details on the Proton-Suzuki collaboration from Suzuki’s press release – the first step of the marriage will see the Japanese carmaker supply CKD components for a Suzuki model to Proton.
The model, a compact passenger car, will be manufactured at the Tanjung Malim plant from around August 2016 and be distributed and sold under the Proton brand. And it may not be the only one – according to Suzuki, additional models will be mutually studied as well.
The release also mentions the possible supply of Suzuki engines and transmissions to Proton in the future, while the installation of such engines and transmissions in Proton models will be studied.
The initial product is widely believed to be Proton’s first A-segment car, aiming to help it encroach into Perodua’s playground and its runaway success with the Axia. Conversely, Perodua is working on its first sedan, widely believed to have the Proton Saga in its sights.
Alto? Celerio? Your guess is as good as ours for now, but we can’t wait to see exactly how much re-engineering Proton will eventually carry out.
