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Compiled by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

Special events welcome

The Biz Motors special feature page for automobiles is published every second Sunday of the month in the Sunday Observer. Information, news and photographs of special events in the automobile sector are welcome.

Please send all correspondence to: Biz Motors, Sunday Observer Business (LSAW), D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Lake House, Colombo 10. T.P. 071-4007528 and 011-2384726, Email - [email protected].

KIA Rio wins Autobytel Editors' choice award

KIA Rio has won the Autobytel Editors' choice Award for the most improved new car. Each year Autobytel Inc, one of the most visited automotive properties on the Internet announces its 'Editors' choice award presented to vehicle models that offer the best combination of value, quality, design and performance in the market, according to the editors and automotive analysts of the company's popular websites.

The Award categories are designed to help car buyers identify the top vehicle options based on a range of buying priorities from fuel - efficiency and family driving to affordability, style and just plain fun.

"Rio is a magnificent sub-compact class-a leading car with attractive styling and performance wrapped in a smart yet extremely affordable package," said Len Hunt, executive Vice President and COO of KIA Motors America. "We are pleased that Autobytel, the press and the entire automotive community are recognising the KIA Rio for all it offers consumers."

Offering more standard safety features, passenger space and horsepower the new Rio 4 and 5 door have raised the bar in the sub-compact segment. New from the ground-up, the Rio's longer wheel base and increased width and height contribute to the best in class 92.2 cubic feet of passenger room, while a wider track and more horsepower yield better handling, a smoother ride and improved performance.

The latest accolade for the KIA Rio comes on the heels of the "Auto best-2006" award which placed the Rio at the top of the pack of all new cars in Eastern Europe.

A Sri Lankan motor-cycle soon

Nitro Lanka, a Malaysian - Sri Lanka joint venture aims at developing a Sri Lankan motor-cycle.

Five models of motor-cycles under the brand name Nitro are being introduced to the Sri Lankan market. Production at the Wellampitiya workshop commenced last June.

Chairman of Nitro Lanka, M. Y. M. Nassar said, "As a developing country with enormous resources mere assembling of vehicles or acting as a market place for foreign items should not be continued. Production capacity should be improved and Sri Lanka should go to the manufacturing era.

The Nitro Lanka motor-cycle production plant at Wellampitiya has a Sri Lankan workforce of two-hundred-and-fifty related to Mechanical and finishing trades. Three Malaysian technicians are engaged in the production process as well as in training local employees.

Nassar who successfully introduced a Sri Lankan three-wheeler to the local market under the brand name Alba said, that his desire is to introduce a motor-cycle which meets local requirements.

"It will be a Sri Lankan product utilising the majority of our resources", he said.

At present motor-cycle engines from Japan are being used for Nitro motor-cycles. The other spares are imported from the Malaysian joint venture partner Mofaz Motosikal SDN - BND Malaysia are being used to manufacture Nitro motor-cycles.

Big demand for second-hand Japanese vehicles

A very high demand for second-hand vehicles is predominant in the vehicle market, especially for Japanese vehicles.

The prices of brand new vehicles increased over three-hundred percent due to the import taxes being imposed last year. Except the highest income segment and special vehicle import permit holders others had to go for second hand cars or below 1000 CC small vehicles.

At present below 1000 CC engine capacity vehicles are not available at the showrooms of Japanese brand new vehicle importers such as Toyota Lanka Limited and at Associated Motorways. They enjoy the majority market share of brand new vehicle sales in Sri Lanka.

Over 1000 CC brand new vehicle prices in Sri Lanka range from Rs. 2 million to Rs. 8 million.

According to the vehicle traders the buyers who are familiar with Japanese origin cars generally go for the same Japanese brands and are even reluctant to change the brand either Toyota or Nissan or Honda. Since they are not in a position to go for a brand new vehicle, due to the prohibitive prices they prefer the latest models of a familiar brand of a Japanese vehicle.

K. A. Nihal Suresh, Director, Japan Global Lanka Auto Traders, Dehiwala evaluating the trends of the present used car market in Sri Lanka said most of the Japanese car users do not go for other origin of vehicles. Japanese vehicles have a secure, second hand value, which is beneficial to the customer, he said.

Japan Global Lanka Auto Traders is one of the leading used car importers. According to Suresh he sells Japanese used vehicles as well as other luxury used vehicles. Last year the used car sales business was highly successful in his nine-year vehicle sales career.

Below 1000 CC brand new vehicles and used vehicles became very popular last year in the Sri Lankan vehicle market mainly due to low fuel consumption and affordable price structure the monthly sales of over 500 units of the Suzuki Maruti Range - one Litre engine vehicles had shown the nature and the scope of the Sri Lankan vehicle market last year.

Pioneer snapped up

Pioneer, a deluxe three-wheeler family car was introduced to Sri Lanka's auto market recently by Auto House (Pvt) Ltd.

The first imported shipment of "pioneer" three-wheeler cars was sold out in a few weeks after it was introduced. The next shipment of cars is expected and orders are being accepted by Auto House according to the Managing Director Asiri Jayawardana.

The Pioneer three-wheeler car is considered a revolutionary concept of the three-wheeler products. It has petrol - 4 stroke - 200 C.C radiator cool front engine with rear differential. The other special features are five speed floorboard gear, right-hand side steering wheel with two front adjustable seats, factory fitted pioneer radio cassette, collapsible rear seat to transport goods, front console board has the metres for battery AMP, fuel, speed, heat and milometers. The Pioneer three-wheeler car has an attractive appearance having Halogen Crystal head lamps and tail and signal lamps. Its tyres are bigger than those of normal three-wheeler tyres.

"Pioneer" is manufactured by a leading Chinese Auto manufacturer in its fully modernised auto plant in China. Having fifty years' experience it exports its products of heavy vehicles, motor cycles and cars to the Middle East and Europe.

Auto House, the importer of 'Pioneer' three-wheeler car to Sri Lanka also celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year.

SLARDAR Championship 2006

The prestigious CIC Auto finish SLARDAR Championship 2006 gets under way next Sunday, January 19 at the Katukurunda Circuit. SLARDAR has introduced two new events for the championship and all the top riders and drivers including Aravinda Premadasa, Riyaz Farouk, Dilantha Malagamuwa, Nissan Wasalatantri and Upul Serasinghe will participate.

It is organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders.

KIA - R10 - performance

The R10 1.6 litre DOHC engine with continuously variable valve timing really hits the sweet spot with a beautiful balance of power and fuel economy. CVVT ensures the engine receives the optimal amount of air under all engine speeds.

Quiet and velvety smooth, the 1.6 litre comes with a five speed manual transmission and an easy shifting hydraulic clutch for those who prefer to take matters into their own hands. For relaxed leisurely driving opt for the four speed automatic.

On the Defensive

R10's steel unibody features a safety optimised design that ensures the body crumples in a precalculated way to absorb impact forces, providing absolute peace of mind when driving the R10. Ventilated front disc brakes coupled with a massive 10 inch brake booster provide excellent stopping power optional safety features such as dual front airbags side and curtain airbags and an anti-lock braking system further enhance the safety of R10.

Range Rover and Range Rover Sport

Range Rover and Range Rover Sport one of the best luxury SUV's in the world was launched in Sri Lanka recently.

The launch was held at the Frontier Automotive Company showroom at Galle Road, Kollupitiya. Frontier Automotive is the sole agent for Land Rover vehicles in Sri Lanka.

Sheran Fernando, CEO of Frontier Automotive said that the Range Rover revolutionised the four-wheel drive segment and created a class of its own within the luxury sports utility segment.

Introduced in 1970, Land Rover has been the undisputed leader in the luxury SUV market for more than 30 years. It exceeds the levels of comfort and refinement offered by a premium luxury Sedan while offering supreme levels of off road capabilities.

The all new Range Rover for 2006 features two powerful V8 engines mated to an electronically controlled six speed gearbox which adapts to individual driving styles. Innovation and technology take centre stage in the Range Rover's interior which features design clues from contemporary British architecture and luxury yachts. Combined with its off road hardware and four corner air suspension, it is far superior to its competition in terms of quality, comfort and capability.

The Range Rover Sport is the fifth nameplate in the Land Rover range. "Essentially it is a hybrid between a high performance sports tourer and a four-wheel drive SUV. The Range Rover Sport shares its platform with the award winning Discovery. 3 and also includes state-of-the-art technology seen for the first time in this segment", Fernando said adding that this vehicle's terrain response and dynamic response systems made sure that the Range Rover Sport combined breath-taking dynamic ability with the best in class comfort, refinement and off road ability.

Explaining its features Chandima Goonerathne of Frontier Automotive, said that at the heart of the new Range Rover Sport was a powerful supercharged engine which delivers 400 horsepower via a quick shifting six-speed gearbox. "The vehicle exceeds performance and handling expectations identified with 4 X 4s as well as meeting the sophistication and luxury that is associated with the Range Rover name". The Land Rover range is a living evolution of the technologies that have made the 'Defender' the world's most capable and trusted off road vehicle. This practical, real world philosophy created the urban crossover vehicle.

"The Freelander' while the Discovery 3 with its supreme blend of practicality, comfort and capability, as well as the ultimate evolution, the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, all underline Land Rover's supremacy in the 4 X 4 category.

"As the world's largest dedicated 4 X 4 manufacture no one but Land Rover can offer you such a breath of capability and style," Fernando said.

Job Opportunity - Jarir Marketing Co.

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