Robot-welded Pekan-built Suzukis

SUZUKI Malaysia has become the first automotive company in the non- national car manufacturer category for small volume production to adopt robotic welding technology for the assembly of the Suzuki Swift. That was the wordy prose emanating from the DRB-Hicom subsidiary when it introduced the first locally-assembled Suzuki Swift recently. This is the culmination of the licensing agreement secured back in 2006, which it signed with the Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan, that allows its Malaysian partner to begin local assembly of the Swift.

The RM20 million robotic welding line which was installed early this year has full sensing capabilities that detect body and chassis discrepancies prior to welding. It also gives greater accuracy and consistency, which results in greater body integrity.

Two models of the locally-built Swifts are available - the 1.5A/ T and the 1.5A/t Premier (with V-Kool, body kits and leather seats) automatic.

The locally-assembled Swift is priced at RM71,943.50 (on-the-road including insurance) while the 1.5A/T Premier costs an extra RM6,000.