@Nihonjin1051 @macnurv @70U63 @powastick
India has a large consumer base for cars which is bound to grow over the next 10 years as the numbers of the Indian Middle class rise, Proton should try & invest in the Indian market..
If required it can even come & make it's cars in India by opening a plant here or use an existing plant. India's PM is firmly pro-Business & pro-investment.
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India abuzz over Proton-Suzuki tie-up
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19, 2015:
While Proton Holdings Bhd chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad got many astir late last year with supposed plans to set up a Proton assembly plant in Bangladesh, it is now India’s turn to get excited – judging from the buzz in Indian media.
The tie-up between Proton and Japan’s Suzuki Motors announced few days back is seen as another push by Proton to gain a foothold in what is arguably one of the most competitive car markets in the world.
The Hindu newspaper noted that Proton had already been eyeing a facility in Andhra Pradesh some years ago and the Suzuki partnership may give the Japanese firm another option in tackling the fierce battleground of medium-prized cars which many foreign makes are already in.
But a more likely scenario is that Indian-focused Suzuki models may make their way to Malaysia instead, reported Business Insider India.
Similar to how Volkswagen has successfully launched its budget-priced Indian Polo model here in Malaysia, the Maruti Suzuki partnership could lead to several tried and tested Indian compact models making their way here.
Among these may be the Celerio, Wagon R and the Alto models – seen to be ideal for the Malaysian market.
The Proton-Suzuki deal could see a compact passenger car be assembled at the Proton Tanjung Malim plant from August next year.
India abuzz over Proton-Suzuki tie-up - The Rakyat Post - The Rakyat Post
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Suzuki-Proton deal to benefit Maruti
In a move that will boost exports of the India subsidiary of Maruti, the Suzuki Motor Corporation has inked a deal with Malaysian carmaker Proton for the assembly and sale of an entry-level model in its domestic market, according to an ET report.
As per the agreement, Suzuki is likely to supply completely knocked down (CKD) kits of cars to Proton, Malaysia's first carmaker established in 1983, which currently enjoys a 17% market share. The company sold about 116,000 vehicles in 2014.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on June 15.
Under the agreement, the first model will be a compact passenger car to be assembled by Proton at its Tanjung Malim plant from August 2016. A decision on additional models will be taken after studies by Proton and SMC.
Moreover, the Malaysian carmaker will assemble cars and distribute and sell them under its own brand through its network in Malaysia.
Suzuki, which holds a little over 56% in Maruti Suzuki India, its most profitable subsidiary globally, has similar sourcing arrangements with other companies too.
The company sourced the A-Star hatchback made by Maruti Suzuki at its Manesar plant for Nissan Motor, which sold the car as the Pixo in Europe. The arrangement helped Maruti Suzuki increase exports by 50,000 units a year. Maruti also ships the Ertiga multipurpose vehicle as a completely knocked down unit for assembly in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, sources in Maruti Suzuki said that its compact 1000 cc models such as the Celerio, Wagon R and the twin Alto models could be ideal for the Malaysian market.
"We have no direct communication yet, but as in the past, there are many models which we are already exporting as CKD of Ritz and Ertiga to Indonesia that could well be extended to other models from the Indian market," a company source said.
Automotive analysts said Suzuki's new deal could fill a void for Maruti that was created when the A-Star was discontinued last year. "Beyond an instant access to yet another strong export market, the development may help Suzuki Motors regain some of the volumes that the company had lost during the transition of Pixo, which was a great value addition to Maruti exports from the Manesar plant," said Amit Kaushik, associate director at IHS Automotive, an international consultancy.
(Image: Indiatimes)
Suzuki-Proton deal to benefit Maruti | Business Insider India
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With Suzuki, Proton may look at India | Business Line
With Suzuki, Proton may look at India
New ally in tow would change outlook for Malaysian carmaker
It is way too early at this point in time but the recent collaboration with Suzuki may just give Proton another impetus to enter India.
The Malaysian carmaker is keen on spreading its wings in Asia-Pacific and what better destination than the subcontinent which is on its way to becoming the third largest automobile market in the world.
There was a time when Proton was looking at setting up a facility in Andhra Pradesh some years ago but nothing really came out of it. It now remains to be seen if ally, Suzuki, will facilitate an entry though there many issues to be addressed.
In the first place, the Indian market has changed dramatically over the last few years with buyers now inclined to going the extra mile in picking up cars with smart features. In such a setting, Proton may just have its work cut out in offering something better beyond its current range of small cars, sedans and MPVs.
Two, it will not be the easiest of tasks convincing customers to go in for a Malaysian car brand when the more popular choices are Japanese, Korean and German. Finally, there may not be a compelling business reason for Suzuki to help launch Proton in India.
The present agreement will help the Japanese automaker grow its presence in Malaysia as part of a strategy for ASEAN. It will supply kits for a Suzuki model which Proton will make at its own plant. This will then be sold under the Proton brand through its network in Malaysia.
The first model, a compact car, will be made at the Tanjung Malim plant from August 2016. According to Suzuki, other models will be mutually studied by the partners. In addition, supply of engines and transmissions by Suzuki to Proton and subsequent installation by Proton for its own models will also be explored. Osamu Suzuki, Chairman & CEO, has hinted at developing a “comprehensive synergy” between the two companies.
So Proton won't be designing or working on new models but instead will rebadge the Suzuki models. The only selling point that would help Proton in Indian market would be the price, as Indian consumer have more options available to them. I honestly believe that Proton does not have anything to offer to Indian consumers with sub standard manufacturing quality products.
