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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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The 'Micro' for the economy class by Pelham Juriansz Micro Cars Ltd launched its first car for the economy class at the Ceylinco House in Colombo last week.
Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs, Prof G.L. Peiris was the guest of honour while Dr Lalith Kotelawala, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission of Wayamba and the Ceylinco Group was the chief guest at the launch. The flagship project is the first car manufacturer in Sri Lanka. Suraj Dandeniya, Director General of the Economic Development Commission of Wayamba told a media briefing that the idea, first mooted in 1998, had taken five years for completion. "It was when I saw Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe driving the car in August last year that I felt that this was a wonderful vehicle. Also, think of the employment opportunities it would provide. At that time, I thought the project would create about 800 jobs, but now we expect about 3,000 jobs." A 35-acre block of land was donated by Kotelawala, who signed up with Micro cars Ltd, to employ about 3,300 persons. The operation is now under way and 65 persons have already been employed. With the new facility at Polgahawela (product capacity of 30 units a month which is estimated to increase threefold), about 3,000 persons could be employed.
The plant will also provide on-the-job training and employment to youth passing out from technical colleges in the Wayamba region. Kotelawala has placed the first corporate order for 100 units of Micro cars and MPVs for The Finance Company Ltd.Seylan Bank had provided the initial banking arrangements for this project. The car comes in two types; Micro 500 Privilege and Micro Economy. It is fairly economical for the average Sri Lankan and looks different to the traditional vehicle that we see on the roads. A rare feature is the combination wraparound rear lights which are high on the body of the car. The engine is an in-line two cylinder 500CC gasoline one with a two-step Continuously Variable Transmission. It has twin-circuit fully hydraulic brakes. The four-door car can easily seat five adults. The interior has standard Vinyl upholstery, with reclining and sliding front seats. The economy car comes in nine colours with red, blue, yellow and green being the outstanding ones. The steel space frame with rolicage for impact-protection, energy absorbing collapsible steering column and crash bar under the dash panel all add to its safety. The Micro MPV Junior can seat eight persons. The van has a 799CC engine, a fuel tank that can accommodate 36 litres and four forward and one reverse gears. The additional safety features are the monocoque steel body and an energy-absorbing collapsible steering column. The vehicle also comes with child safety rear door locks. Has the Micro come to stay? Is this the truly Sri Lankan car that we have been waiting ages for? Maybe, the dawn of a new era has begun. |
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