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| Sunday,13 November 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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BizMotors Compiled by L.S.A.Wedaarachchi $ 4m for Micro cars expansion program Micro Cars Ltd, a member of Transmec Holdings (Pte) Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week at the Ministry of Finance with the Axia Group, a leading group of companies in USA. The Axia Group will invest four million US Dollars in the preliminary stage of the expansion program of Micro cars Ltd. Jeffrey Flannery CEO, John Mtastad, President and Patrick Crosby advisor of Axia group and key officials participated in the discussions. Dr. Lawrence Perera, Chairman of Transmec Group and also of Micro Cars Ltd is keen on manufacturing the Micro-EV electrical car focussing mainly on the European and USA markets. CES in Victoria, Australia, a leading power and energy company in Australia and the Micro car company in Sri Lanka reached an agreement where CES will provide the technology to manufacture electric cars at the Micro car plant at Polgahawela. Dr. Perera, a product of St. Anthony's College, Katugastota and the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute at Ratmalana has wide knowledge and experience in automobile engineering through his work experience in Germany, France, Middle East and local leading companies including Car Mart. He was honoured by Japan for the tremendous service rendered to the automobile engineering sector during the last twenty-five years. The Micro Car Company, a BOI project having the main objective of manufacturing motor cars locally set up a car manufacturing plant in Polgahawela in 2003. The company is considered the pioneering automobile manufacturer in Sri Lanka. Three Micro models namely Micro Econo, Micro MPV Junior and Micro Trend were introduced during the last two years. The Chairman of the Micro Car Company, said the Micro Econo, the first car which was introduced by him with an unusual attractive Italian design, will be the future car of the European and USA market. Research and development activities are being done to improve the Micro Econo car. The latest of the Micro car range is the Micro Trend which was introduced to the Sri Lankan market in August this year. Designed by a prestigious Italian designer Micro Trend has an economical Bosh system EFI 1000 CC year 5 engine. In order to help local buyers the Micro car company has reached an agreement with a leading financial organisation to offer a special leasing package for Micro car buyers. The details of the leasing package can be obtained from Sarath Senaratna, Sales Manager, Micro car company. The locally made brand new car market has expanded rapidly during the last two years and second hand Micro car prices have also increased sharply due to the introduction of Micro cars. The special features of the newly introduced Micro Trend are as follows: Engine - In line Twin (am 16 valves, 4 cylinder 970 cc Gasoline (MPI) Transmission - 5 speed manual transmission Front wheel drive Suspension (F/r) - Indepent Macpherson Strut trailing am with coil spring. Steering - Rack and pinion with power assist. Brakes/Seating - 5 door (Hatch Bank) 5 adults Safety - Monocoque steel body. Energy absorbing collapsible steering column side intrusion beams. Power features - Air conditioning with economy mode Digital Radio/CD Player, Central Locking, Power windows, Rear defroster, Rear window wiper washer. ######### Leyland Viking A/C coach a major attraction The super Luxury Viking AC coach, introduced by Lanka Ashok Leyland has attracted bus owners and leading tour operators. Lanka Ashok Leyland Limited, a BOI project manufactures and markets Ashok Leyland buses and trucks in Sri Lanka. Its state of the art modern factory is at Panagoda, Homagama. According to Umesh Gautem, General Manager of Lanka Ashok Leyland Limited Super Luxury Viking A/C couch has fulfilled all the requirements of luxury travel. The High roof air-conditioned bus body with one passenger door, separate AC engine, AC ducting with individual seat blowers, separate luggage compartment, and high back adjustable full reclining seats are the remarkable features of super Luxury Viking A/C Coach of Lanka Ashok Leyland. Engine specification and other technical details of Leyland viking coach are as follows: Engine Specifications Model - Al Hino W06E (E1) naturally aspirated diesel Bore X stroke MM 104x118 Displacement its 5.759 Dry weight Kg 435 Maximum Engine Output - 119PS @ 2400 rpm Max torque Mkg - 38.5 @ 1600 rpm Sump Capacity its (including oil filter) - 12 Air Filter - Oil bath type with replaceable element Fuel Filter - 1.1 its. Dual filter on the pressure side strainer on the feed pump suction side Cooling Type - Pump circulated pressurised cooling thermostat controlled with deaeration tank Fuel Tank capacity 165 litres. Clutch Type - Single plate dry clutch Facing dia and Thickness 356 mm and 6.35 mm Total Frictional Area 1238 sq.cm Gear Box Type - 5 speed Oil capacity - 7.5 ltrs Suspension system Springs - Semi; elliptical laminated multileaf with centre bolt arrangement No of leaves - Front. 12 Rear main 12 Rear. Aux - 6 Shock absorbers - Double acting telescopic type on front and rear axles Steering System - Integral Power steering Ratio - 20.2:1 Drive - Right Hand Brakes System - Air pressure diaphragm operated with dual line fail safe arrangement Total breaking area cm - 4140 Parking Brake - Flick valve operated pneumatic hand brake on rear wheels only ########## Hero Honda - Glamour - Neo 8 One of the prestigious brands of motor-cycles 'Hero Honda' introduced its latest model 'Glamour - Neo 8' to the Sri Lankan market. With the new quantum core engine at its heart, the new Glamour - Neo 8 is destined to redefine all parameters of performance. A motor-cycle that is capable of delivering mileage that is unmatched even by the legendry Hero Honda standards, along with enhanced power. Hero Honda glamour - Neo 8 is available in nine colours namely Candy Blazing Red, Cloud Silver Metallic Torando Grey Metallic, Impulse Orange Metallic, excellent blue metallic vibrant green metallic, Black - 2 colour combinations, Forest Blue Metallic and Disc self. The Hero Honda local agent Hero Honda Motors issues a warranty for three years or 40,000 kilometres from the date of purchase to Glamour - Neo 8 buyers. The technical specifications of Glamour - Neo 8 are given below. Type - Air Cooled, 4 stroke, single cylinder OHC. Displacement - 124.7 cc Maximum Power - 6.72 kw (9 BHP) @ 7000 rpm Maximum Torque - 10.35 N.m. @ 4000 rpm Bore and Stroke - 52.4 x 57.8 nm ########## Formula Plus-Vehicle Owners' Club launched The Formula Plus-Vehicle Owners Club from Sri Lanka Insurance is an initiative that was launched to further enhance the services provided to all SLI motor policyholders. The club has three categories of membership - Platinum, Gold and Silver, with its own distinctive card. A Formula Plus Policyholder will be eligible to become a member by earning points under a selection criteria set by the company. The insured value of the vehicle/s, the 'No Claim Bonus' (NCB) awarded to the policyholder, the duration of the policy holding with SLI, the number of vehicles insured with SLI owned by the policyholder, the number of vehicles owned by the policyholder will play a key role in the selection. Owners of motor cars and dual-purpose vehicles who are policyholders of SLI will be eligible to join the club on application after a selection committee determines whether they have met the 'selection criteria'. According to Suren Galagoda, Consultant (Motor) at SLI, application forms have already been sent to owners of motorcar and dual-purpose vehicles who are eligible under the selection criteria. Governed by the 'Formula Plus vehicle owners club constitution', membership of the club is renewable each year and upon renewal of their insurance policy the club membership too is automatically renewed. The membership of the club is not transferable and if the vehicle owner intends selling his motorcar or dual-purpose vehicle the membership card should be handed over to the motor department at SLI Head Office or the nearest SLI branch. The card will be reissued if the policyholder purchases another motor car or dual-purpose vehicle and insures it with SLI. Members can obtain the benefits the club offers by producing their membership card. |
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