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| Sunday, 2 October 2005 |
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Toyota targets to double sales in three years by L.S.A. Wedaarachchi Toyota Lanka (Pvt) Limited enjoys a 40 per cent market share of Japanese brand new vehicles in Sri Lanka. Toyota Lanka Limited imports a full range of Japanese vehicles including brand new cars, vans, trucks and buses. Toyota Plaza at Wattala handles sales, services and spare parts. What is significant about Toyota Plaza is its excellent and enviable management. A customer who visited the Toyota Company a few years ago at Orugodawatta and the Toyota Plaza at Wattala would see the remarkable change that has been effected by an excellent management. The present management led by Japanese Managing Director Nobuhiko Kato (49) has the majority of Sri Lankans who are well trained and disciplined bringing reputation to the organisation. Kato, a marketeer by profession and a graduate from the Tohoku Japanese University has been in Sri Lanka for the last three years. Soft spoken Nobuhiko Kato who speaks with an air of authority told the Sunday Observer that the highest sales of Toyota Lanka Limited were achieved last year. The company is maintaining the same degree of efficiency this year as well, he said. "Customer and employer satisfaction are given the highest priority at Toyota Lanka Limited. That policy brought great success," he said. Toyota Company's mission is in terms of life-time customer and life-time employer, he said. "Sales will be doubled in the next three years and thus will be the company's target. With the increase in profit there will be a corresponding increase in the benefits offered to the employees," he said. Trained human resources is considered one of the key factors in the success of the company. Continuous training programs in house and abroad are being implemented for the staff. Transport facilities to and from the company are provided in addition to financial benefits including salary plus bonuses. Toyota Lanka Limited expects to expand the authorised dealer network for the convenience and benefit of customers. At the Wattala Toyota Plaza a superior after sales service is provided to Toyota customers employing well trained technicians, mechanics and computerised checking systems. The present authorised dealers and the branches are at Panchikawatte, Kandy, Galle, Matara, Kurunegala and Badulla. Elaborating on sales Kato, said the Toyota Corolla car has gained the highest popularity among its range in Sri Lanka and added that the most popular car in the world was the Toyota Corolla during the last few years. Most of the leading hotels and corporate customers such as Sri Lanka Telecom had bought brand new Toyota Corolla cars for their senior executives and official use recently. "Toyota technology is superior due to the continuous research and tests. Unmatched high fuel consumption as well as the comfortable soft running conditions of the Corolla car are remarkable, he said. One of the biggest problems in Sri Lanka is poor infrastructure facilities according to Kato, who manages 180 employees in his company. "Sri Lanka needs high-ways, at least to Colombo from Katunayake, Kandy and Galle. Highways should be built soon. Heavy traffic, waste time as well as money. He pointed out the irresponsible and lethargic attitudes of some public sector officers in Sri Lanka. He had observed at an important government authority officers reported for work at 10 am and had tea whereas he had waited for an official purpose from 9.30 am. Talking about duty on vehicle imports, imposed last October, he said, that compared to other countries Sri Lankan vehicle import duties are very high. SAARC countries except Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had prohibited the importation of used vehicles into those countries. It is wise and an environment healthy decision. Although this was brought to the notice of the government nothing has happened yet, he said. The fuel which is being used in Sri Lanka, consists of a very high sulphur content and pointed out that this had an adverse effect on vehicles and the environment. Poor road discipline of three-wheeler drivers was also pointed out by
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