Suzuki creates the new motorcycle brand Afaz – scooters and entry-level motorcycles.

Suzuki has signed a binding contract with Malaysian company KMSB to create the Afaz brand. The Japanese will provide the necessary parts for production in Malaysia to meet local emerging demand.

Malaysia is in luck, as Suzuki and KMSB Motors, based in Kuala Lumpur, have signed a partnership agreement to launch a new brand called Afaz.

The contract signing ceremony took place at the office of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, KMSB president Faez Yahaya, and Suzuki president Toshihiro Suzuki.

KMSB is a subsidiary of 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 involves Suzuki supplying engine and fairing parts for Afaz models from 110cc to 150cc starting in the first half of 2024. The supplied parts will come from Suzuki factories in Asia.

At the ceremony, the President of Suzuki stated: “In addition to motorcycle sales, Suzuki would like to contribute to the expansion and prosperity of the Malaysian motorcycle market and industry by providing spare parts to KMSB.

It is expected that Afaz will contribute greatly to the local industry and, at the same time, provide numerous job opportunities in a country with needs. The motorcycle market in Malaysia continues to grow, especially in the industrial sector. For 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 highlighted the main objectives for the country’s industrial sector by 2030.

More specifically, NIMP 2030 aims to ensure Malaysia’s position as a world leader in industrial development, making it a prominent player in various sectors. At the grand launch of the new motorcycle brand, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Chairman of KMSB, and the Chairman 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, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

In this phase, it is not known what type of motorcycles Afaz will produce. However, it is almost certain that it will be aimed at the best-selling and mass market segment in Malaysia, namely scooters and entry-level motorcycles.

But we also hope that they will introduce some medium-displacement motorcycles. On the other hand, we know that the company will launch its own R&D, marketing, and innovation initiative. An initiative specifically tailored to the needs of the Malaysian market.