The Suzuki Ertiga has been confirmed as one of the models that will be rebadged as a Proton under the national carmaker’s collaboration with Suzuki. News reports from Indonesia quote local Suzuki arm PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales (SIS) saying that the Ertiga will be exported to Malaysia in knocked down form, from the second quarter of 2016.
“This is the result of the collaboration between Suzuki and Proton, which Osamu Suzuki (president of Suzuki Motor Corp, Japan) announced last year,” deputy MD of SIS Davy Jeffry Tuilan told Kompas Otomotif yesterday night.
He added that SIS will export 1,500 units of the Ertiga to Proton per month, which translates to a significant 18,000 units per year, doubling Suzuki Indonesia’s value of exports from Rp 2 trillion to Rp 4 trillion. Production of the knocked down kits headed for Malaysia will start at SIS’ factory in Cikarang from May this year. Proton has officially announced that the first Proton-Suzuki joint model will enter production before the end of 2016.
Presently, Suzuki exports the Ertiga from Indonesia to various Asean countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei in CBU form. However, exports to the four markets are at the rate of 400 units per month combined, which pales in comparison to the Proton deal. Suzuki also produces the Mazda VX-1, a rebadged Ertiga, for the Indonesian market.
The Suzuki Ertiga first appeared in India in 2012, before the three-row, seven-seater MPV started production in Indonesia. It has a 2,740 mm wheelbase (Perodua Alza 2.750 mm, Proton Exora 2,730 mm) and is powered by a 1.4 litre engine with 92 PS and 130 Nm of torque. The K14B motor is paired to a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic gearbox.
A facelifted Ertiga appeared at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2015 show in August 2015, and in December, Suzuki rolled out a range topping Ertiga Dreza variant with a unique face and more equipment.
GALLERY: Suzuki Ertiga Facelift at GIIAS 2015
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It has begun!
This going to be interesting…hope it maintain Suzuki engine and transmission for temporary period OR new engine? PLEASE NO MORE Campro and “punch” cvt !!!
Bodoh Proton. One dying brand join another dying brand. What will happen? Both also sink.
management in Proton very stupid. All eat nasi lemak and sleep the whole day. Like when they bought MV Augusta for few hundred million pounds. 2 years later, they sold it for 1 Euro. The new owner, without doing anything or pumping any capital in, 2 years later sold the company for another few hundred million Euro. Untung besar. Buy 1 Euro and sell few hundred million Euro.
that is how stupid the Proton Management is. Isntead of getting a strong partner, they get failure Suzuki. Suzuki is on the brink of bankrupcy and worldwide, their cars are not selling well at all.
Suzuki is dying brand? You have been living in a cave are’nt you? Not exactly. Only in US it’s a dead car brand.In Europe, it is surviving. In Asian markets, it’s thriving.
I beg to differ. Suzuki is making BIG MONEY in India, it has been dominating the passanger’s car category for more than a decade, beating even bigger Japanese brothers like Toyota and Honda. Suzuki is far from dying. And mind you India is the 2nd most populated country in the world, Malaysia? Haha, malas nak cakap, u do the math for Proton.
But this is not india.
No more rebadging, says Proton
15 January 2014
KOTA KINABALU (Jan 15, 2014): Proton Holdings Bhd will stop rebadging vehicles in the immediate future as the practice does not feature in its business of developing car models, its chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil said.
“I said it before, Proton will not rebadge,” Khamil, who is managing director of DRB-Hicom Bhd, the parent of the national car maker, told a press conference here on Monday during the DRB-Hicom media trip to Sabah 2014.
He insisted that the new Perdana model presented to the Government recently was not rebadging per se.
“What the management of Proton have done, was something that has gone beyond rebadging. Rebadging is where you take a car and you rebadge it, that’s it. Then when a new model comes in, you take another car and bring it to rebadge again,” he said.
Proton, via its strategic collaboration with Honda, will start production of the Perdana replacement model for supply to the government, with about 3,000 units to be produced initially.
However, he said Proton had to start from “somewhere”, including rebadging, in order to move into the next innovative phase, where it has the ability to develop its own new car.
Platform sharing, he said, is a common practice as all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) do it.
“Rebadging is something required by the automotive industry for room for improvement further. We can have exchange of models, adding on to the models, but it is not entirely and purely rebadging,” Khamil reiterated.
On another note, Khamil admitted that Proton is off target to reclaim the domestic leading position from Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) in the near future, adding that the company need another two to three years to achieve the target.
“To be honest, we are still way off. I had put a target, but the management was unable to reach the target. We are working very hard. This is not about the lack of trying, but difficult to work against the market perception on Proton,” he said.
Nevertheless, Khamil said, the management team of Proton will go for more branding activities to make sure that its market share will improve.
“In the next two to three years, with the new models coming in, there is a chance,” he said.
Proton is slated to introduce its global small car in April this year, as well as a series of new launches for the export markets, Khamil added.
Under a five-year business plan, which is in its first year of implementation, Proton is targeting to sell 500,000 cars every year by 2017/2018, with profit before tax potentially at about RM1 billion.
On the upcoming National Automotive Policy (NAP), Khamil said DRB-Hicom has submitted its wish list to the government but he refused to make any comment at this juncture before the revised policy is announced.
“I do not want to comment on the NAP because the government will announce it very soon. There will be some differentiation between the current policy and the new policy. We have submitted our wish list to the government and we hope that it will be incorporated in the NAP,” he said.
these DRB bosses are just bunch of lairs and scums. now honor for their words. useless people destroyed Proton and now they want to flush it to toilet and this stupid suzuki is the water they need to flush it out… terrible.
DRB-Hicom boss rubbishes talk on Proton rebadging VWs
By Danny Tan 12 March 2012
At yesterday’s unveiling of the CKD Volkswagen Passat in Pekan, DRB-Hicom’s Group MD Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil rubbished talks of Proton rebadging VW models. DRB-Hicom is of course the new owner of national carmaker Proton, and counts VW as partner and biggest customer of its Pekan facility.
“The reports got me by surprise,” Khamil said. “Rebadging was never in our plans. If we want to develop the national auto industry, we got to move forward. Rebadging is taking a step backwards,” he said, adding that “short term pains, but long term gains” is needed for Proton.
“I may have to eat my words someday, but as long as I’m in charge, I will never allow that [rebadging] to happen,” he stated firmly.
Years later: The all new Potong Inspira!
Why rebadge from dying suzuki? and import from indonesia?
a very bad desicion from proton imho.
Suzuki is not a ‘dying’ brand. Mitsubishi is the one that’s dying. Nissan would be ‘dying’ too if not for the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
It’s not entirely a bad decision. It’s possible that Proton wants a smaller MPV to fight the Alza. The Ertiga is a B-segment MPV, it competes with the Avanza and Livina (and Alza). The Exora meanwhile, is one segment larger (C-segment MPV), and competes with the Innova. It is not possible to price the Exora as cheap as the Alza, Proton will need to make a separate model for that… and this Ertiga could be the answer.
Suzuki is shutting down their operation in several countries, and the latest is malaysia.
Proton having problem to compete with others not because of their car model, but the lack of 1 very important thing of any vehichles.. RELIABILITY.
Hey frienddddd nice to see you here! Where were you when Proton declared TIV of 15%? When failed to sell Iriz? When Madey admitted Preve is a junk car? When said times are tough but still spend capex RM600mil on UK-designed engines? When Honda and Toyota projected to beat Proton sales in 2016? When cash flow projections show bankruptcy by 2017 for Proton?
Oh.. I realise you are blind to constructive criticism and negative Proton news.. Soon enough KambingKong will come and join you in collective mass-debating (aka mas turb A-ting) on Proton’s face
Proton do this to prevent from bangkrupt
Dying suzuki? Have you been to India? 1 in 3 or 4 cars is a suzuki (Maruti-Suzuki). These are just suzukis built in Maruti’s plant. They’re not as big as Toyota and VW but they’re still one of the big players – at number 15 in the world.
Please come out of your cave and look at the world once in a while.
I don’t fully agree with plain rebadging but I think Proton has to what it has to do to stay in the game.
India… Indonesia..
I think everyone knows what that means.
That is India brader. Indians will buy anything from overseas cause they got no confidence in their own product. Even Sony TV also they bring on board the plane cause they don’t want to buy their own TV from India
Come out from your cave and see how many people carry Sony TVs on board the plane
its a maruti…
if you are true brother? why lava when they got galaxy?
Bro, are still working with proton? Engineer is it? For crying out loud, pls change the interior of the car so plasticky.
Proton chairman: no more rebadging in the near future
14 January 2014
Proton is not in the business of simply rebadging vehicles, and such practice will not be a part of the national carmaker’s immediate future – that’s according to Proton executive chairman and owning conglomerate DRB-Hicom’s Group managing director, Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil.
So there you have it, folks, no more rebadging for Proton in the near future. Thoughts on the matter?
Why is it a bad decision? Do elaborate. Would be interesting to hear you point of view.
Later got R3-edisi?
What is Proton thinking ? Do they not realize that sales of the Exora will suffer under this second Suzuki pact ? … not that it matters anyway, Exora sales are desperately low as is; the new Exora MC2 was not enough to help. Nobody seems to want the Exora these days, and it’s not even that old or that bad. The Alza meanwhile, despite being roughly the same age as the Exora, is still selling like hot cakes despite the lack of ESC and side airbags. It helps that it’s cheaper, but the disparity in sales between the Exora and Alza has grown significantly since 2010.
I am guessing that Proton intends to rebadge the Ertiga as a temporary solution for their struggling MPV segment, while they design an all-new Proton-engineered Exora replacement. The new ‘Proton Ertiga’ will probably sell well since it offers a similar USP as the Alza; Japanese technology, Malaysian style. However, Proton Edar (aftersales) and quality control are two important aspects that Proton MUST address and resolve, otherwise, people will continue to buy the older, popular Alza, no matter how good Proton’s new models are.
As for Suzuki Japan and Indonesia, this is nothing but good news. Both will benefit from a sales boost and royalty payments.
i believe the exora replacement is due in a few years
There is a need to station some Japanese Suzuki QC engineers at Proton plant to implement and teach the local workers for QC work.
Finally.. My answer for a new car.. My wife asked me if i wanna buy an exora.. But i said hold on.. Maybe proton will bring in a new mpv soon as they have a new engine.. So this it is.. My new car.. No doubt..
Dont ask ke why i didnt go for wish or something else because i’ve bought a new house..
Rebadging is not the same as collaborating. Some people just can’t understand the difference.
Perodua has to come out a master plan to rebadge all new daihutsu models. If not they gonna loss MKT share
You do know that Perodua is just an overglorified manufacturing plant for Daihatsu?
Whatever models that come out from Perodua is planned, designed, and approved by Daihatsu Motor Corporation Japan.
Bumper and Grill designed by Malaysians.
But the concept work. Because of price point and of coz reliability.
They will only lose market share if there is a cheaper car with same reliability. Otherwise no way will lose market share.
Good move by Proton. Normally Proton will offer good selling price compare to Produa to compete with Alza. Existing Exora defenitely to compete with Innova.
Wat kinda of bisnis decision and strategy is tis??? Senseless…cannibalizing own Exora sales (not to mention billions spent on R&D last time) nw abandoning the model?? Than rebadge SUSUKI and the worst part is imported frum Indonesia…why not save all the money and become pure rebadge like P2???
Proton to compete with Perodua?
The most sales from Perodua is the Axia model, so Proton should concentrate on ‘Kuci-rat’ cars 1000cc or below in order to kill off the Axia model.
I just ride this Ertiga in Jakarta recently.
It belong to the Hotel I stayed there.
IMHO:
1. Engine sound very rough and loud, not sure either its long overdue for services
2. Very2 plastic dashboard feel
3. Not so comfy or good size.
Youtube for Automagznet Ertiga indonesia review. U wil understand the indonesian made ertiga is way refined, better built, & comfortable than Malaysian made Alza.
Kinda disappointing… Unless the rebadged model is an entry level 7-seater MPV while the Exora is something a little more luxurious… Something like Estima and Alphard
Game changer. This time it’s real y’all
Suzuki has wide range of selection.
If Proton wanted to go in to SUV market, they always can use Vitara platform and redesign it. Since the next few years is a small crossover market.
MPV will be competing with Alza and Exora. Unless, they wanted to discontinue Exora production.
A Small segment A and B make no sense since it will competing with Saga and Iriz.
C segment, they have preve and surprima
D segment, the new perdana is coming up. So, Kisashi make no sense since the volume is small.
The problem is, PROTON have plenty of slot for production but cannot sell their car, why need to take the CKD from Indonesia. Unless, they do like what Perodua doing, exporting Myvi as Daihatsu in Indonesia. It make more commercial sense to me and to the country.
I more interested to see Proton go in to SUV market instead of MPV.
The real deal for Proton is actually the Suzuki’s SUV platform. It’s what Proton is missing right now. Proton could avoid investing huge amount of sums by not developing it’s own SUV platform. The rest of the segments, is quite conflicting because Proton already have the base platforms. Maybe the Suzuki Alto could be rebadged as a Supermini class Proton..
Should be Close down proton. Buy suzuki Malaysia and change name to Proton. hahahah
Aiya, that is the problem, people already design siap siap. Proton want to spend money go change the bentuk and then sell for lower price. Just CKD it as is. Whether you make or dont make minor changes it will sell the same.
This basically means that this car is a completely imported car! If so Proton has no purpose of existing at all since they just import car to rebadge.
Hopefully after launching this rebadged suzuki, Proton exora will be retired and developed a brand new MPV that can fit proton’s new technology.
Please redesign or facelift this Ertiga, it looks ageing and doesn’t attractive enough…
It’s a strange and perhaps a rushy decision by Proton, but it could be due to the fact that this is the only available (first) model that could be assembled by Proton, as allowed by Suzuki.Coupled to the fact that currently this is the only Suzuki models that is’nt marketed in Malaysia. Perhaps it’s the first step to the Suzuki-to-Proton re-badging exercise. Although, frankly speaking, it should have better if Proton re-badge (with different front-end design) the Suzuki Vitara first.Because, it’s the segment (compact SUV) that currently missing in the Proton line-up, and it’s currently the fastest growing segment as can be seen from the success of Honda HR-V..
Yes, good move P1. As for me, i’ll take a rebadged Suzuki or any japs brand over a proton own developed cars/mpv anyday. Sales gonna be good again.
Juara back from the dead…
30 years of rebadging and endless disappointment from Camtakpro engines.
Malaysia ke arah kuasa dunia, well done!
Why introduce a model that will cannibalised the sales of the existing product line up?
There is already a MPV model in Proton.
It should have been the popular Vitara.
And Proton is suppose to be national project, which helps in the nation’s development. By offering a pure rebadged from Indonesia, what value does it offer to the nation?
At the end, we see more currency outflow and further affect our rates.
Probably because the C-segment MPV, the Exora could be placed further away from the B-segment upcoming one to give Proton a wider price range thus benefiting more customers?
I think it is always good to have choice in the market. Right now Perodua has the lowest end of the market all to themselves like a monopoly. Why not offer the public alternatives right?
Alza’s wheelbase is only 2.75 mm.
Cool, this will definitely wake Perodua up for more competitive package and safety feature, instead of just redesign body kit and change color on facelift
so much of improvement can be done on many madels of proton….L=looks like Proton Badly lasking of creativity in upgrading models……badly SAD………kick out your designers…..
bapak buruk
Suzuki owner will starts to cry, just like previous Lancer owner…
don’t worry, Ertiga didn’t launch here before~ not same case with lancer~
Of cos not Ertiga… Even if Proton rebadge Ertiga n sell in Malaysia it doesn’t affect anyone cos Suzuki did not sell any Ertiga in Malaysia… It is only affecting the Suzuki model sold in Malaysia if proton is going to rebadge them… Swift, Vitara, Alto, S-Cross… All price depreciates RM20k instantly…
Suzuki owner already cried. look at its resale value…
Why MPV? Should rebadge SUV since proton dont have any SUV currently
P1 gene is strong in that model…
They have one order if they rebadge Swift Sport.
Nice car.. but I hope Proton can upgrade the interior to Iriz Premium standard… it look to substandard as it is..
I remember some minister said Proton is on par with other premium automakers like BMW. Have you seen BMW rebadging anything?
Yes. They rebadged Peugeot engine as Prince engine.
Stupid comment John Get your facts right.
Read more & use your brain.
( the one in your head ) before commenting.
What a waste. Proton should have been more forward looking and looked at the options available when forming JV’s. Don’t stoop so low and accept whatever is thrown to their faces.
One look at the yet to be launched Suzuki Brezza & u know that it would be a seller.
Don’t get into the same overcrowded market dominated by Perodua.
Please wake up management of Proton.
The world is at your feet so choose wisely.
then exora how?
scrap it?
Alza with bigger eyes and smaller but2.
During launch, Proton VIP will say
1. Game changer
2. Turning point
3. This is the most important decision for Proton.
What ever is it. Proton BUngkus lagi baik
mana machai2 proton…..
where is your dignity now
proton going back to being a rebadger
should have done that long time ago
that 600 million would have gone into someones
pocket as a side kick cause i dont think it cost so much to develop an engine.after all, the engine was already developed by petronas
So how much does it takes to develop an engine you reckon?
In case you forgot to read, those new engines are NOT from PETRONAS engines (NE01)…. duh
The BIG question:
Since all Ertigas either produced in India & Indonesia are not equipped with ESP/ESC/VSC (just dual airbags & ABS EBD), are we going to have the same specs here? Since its going to be imported as Indo-sourced CKD kits.