Suzuki has signed a binding contract with Malaysian company KMSB to create the Afaz brand. The Japanese will supply the necessary parts for production in Malaysia to meet emerging local demand.
Malaysia is in luck, Suzuki and Kuala Lumpur-based KMSB Motors have signed a partnership agreement to launch a new brand called Afaz.
The signing ceremony took place at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office. In attendance were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, KMSB chairman Faez Yahaya and Suzuki chairman Toshihiro Suzuki.
KMSB is an AFY Mobility Industries Sdn. Bhd. In fact, Malaysians are the sole shareholders of Suzuki Malaysia. They also produce and sell Suzuki motorcycles in the Southeast Asian country.
The agreement will see Suzuki supply engine and fairing parts for the 110cc to 150cc Afaz models from the first half of 2024. The parts supplied will come from Suzuki’s factories in Asia.
At the ceremony, Suzuki’s President said: “In addition to motorcycle sales, Suzuki would like to contribute to the expansion and prosperity of the Malaysian motorcycle market and industry by supplying spare parts to KMSB.
Afaz is expected to contribute greatly to the local industry and, at the same time, provide numerous job opportunities in a country in need. The motorcycle market in Malaysia continues to grow, especially in the industrial sector. By way of reference, in 2022, the country had a market of 718,000 motorcycles.
The launch of Afaz coincides with Malaysia’s announcement of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), in which the Prime Minister outlined the main objectives for the country’s industrial sector until 2030.
More specifically, NIMP 2030 aims to secure Malaysia’s position as a world leader in industrial development, making it a key player in a number of sectors.
At the grand launch of the new motorcycle brand, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Chairman of the Board of KMSB and the Chairman of the Board of Suzuki were accompanied by important figures such as Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Executive Director of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
At this stage, it is not known what kind of motorcycles Afaz will produce. However, it is almost certain that they will target the best-selling mass market segment in Malaysia, i.e. scooters and entry-level motorcycles.
But we also expect them to introduce some mid-range motorcycles. On the other hand, we know that the company is going to launch its own R&D, marketing and innovation initiative. An initiative tailored specifically to the needs of the Malaysian market.
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