Stamford Tyres (M) Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Falken tyres in Malaysia, organised the inaugural Suzuki Jimny Carnival 2025 on 29 November at its Stamford Tyres Retail Glenmarie outlet in Shah Alam, running from 10am to 3pm.
The Event Aimed to Raise Awareness about Falken Tyres
The event drew an impressive lineup of 150 Suzuki Jimny cars from across Malaysia, along with several international enthusiasts from Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei and Hong Kong, who flew in specially to participate—even without bringing their vehicles. Stamford Tyres Chief Executive Officer Conson Sia and Principals of Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI), the manufacturer of Falken tyres, were also present to give their support.
A wide range of Falken tyres was showcased at the event, including several in the Wildpeak pattern—the AT3WA, AT3W, A/T Trail, and the newer AT4W—in various sizes. Also featured were SSW and Rays rims, along with made in Japan lock nuts designed for the Jimny. Additionally, ten partners exhibited their products, including Vork Racing, Gram Lights, Kics Racing Gear, and Project Mu. Participants could also browse camping gear and equipment, as well as cooler box available at special prices. A RM150 goodie bag, complimentary buffet lunch, ice cream, coffee from Carfé, a car-themed café and lucky draws, added extra excitement to the event.
Frankie Kong, Head of Sales for SUV & 4×4, said, “We partnered with the Malaysia Jimny Club and Jimny Society because they are highly active in outdoor and community events, allowing us to connect directly with passionate Jimny enthusiasts. These clubs offer a strong platform to engage owners who value quality, brand, and performance, and who are open to exploring premium products like Falken tyres.
“The event aimed to raise awareness about Falken tyres, which offer a more complete range of sizes compared to other brands. As a hobby car, the Jimny attracts owners who enjoy showcasing their vehicles and are willing to invest in modifications and upgrades, often treating the Jimny as their second car. This was evident at the event, where not a single Jimny was fitted with Chinese tyres, and many were equipped with Falken tyres, reflecting the brand’s appeal among discerning owners.”
He noted that the OE tyres for the Jimny, sized 195/80R15, are not well-suited to Malaysian weather. These tyres are narrow and their wet performance is below expectations. In contrast, Falken’s Wildpeak range, sized 215/75R15, offers superior cornering and grip on wet roads. “Many Jimny owners replace their tyres immediately after receiving their new cars. With our special promotions offering tyres at attractive prices, some even purchased theirs before taking delivery of their vehicles,” he added.
Positive Outcomes and Feedback
Kong highlighted that the event, involving 30 staff, was not only the largest gathering of Jimny owners in Malaysia, but possibly one of the biggest in the region. “It was Stamford Tyres Group’s largest in-house car gathering. Partnering with 28 brands proved mutually beneficial: we provided free booths for product showcases, and with their contributions combined with ours, the lucky draws prizes that reached a total value of RM25,000. With 86 prizes, participants had higher chances of winning, and the brands’ promotion on their own platforms helped us reach a wider audience. The event even attracted influencers who attended without invitations, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants confirmed its success.”
Meanwhile, Kelvin Wong, Head of the Wheels Department (SSW & Japanese Rays Wheels), echoed Kong’s remarks. “The event helped raise public awareness of our in-house SSW brand, made in Thailand, as well as Rays rims, for which we are the sole distributor in Malaysia. The Jimny’s rim sizes are very niche, ranging from 15-inch to 16-inch. SSW offers two patterns for 15-inch rims and 12 patterns for 16-inch rims, while we showcased 12 Rays models. Compared to other rim brands, SSW provides Jimny owners with more pattern options. Although this segment is relatively small, it offers good margins, and associating with the premium Jimny brand enhances our image.”
Wong revealed that around 10 per cent of the Jimny cars at the event were fitted with SSW rims, indicating potential for further growth. He expressed satisfaction with the turnout, both in terms of cars and enthusiasts. “The numbers were double what we expected. This was our first time organising an event of this kind on our own, and it was a great success. The event not only helped the partner brands boost their visibility but also raised awareness of our retail outlet. Despite a challenging market, the participating brands were pleased with the opportunity to showcase their products.”
“We hope to build on this success and are planning similar events featuring our other car brands in the near future,” Kong concluded.
