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| Sunday, 26 February 2006 |
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Micro goes for fully automatic small vehicle by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi Sri Lanka's first car manufacturer - Micro Cars Ltd is developing a small vehicle with fully automatic transmission using Japanese technology. Three small vehicles Micro-Econo, Micro Trend and Micro MPV Junior were manufactured in Sri Lanka and introduced to the market by Micro Cars Ltd in the recent past. Micro has already attracted small vehicle enthusiasts here and abroad. A team of a leading American Auto Company - Axia Group who was here last year will arrive in Sri Lanka next month for further discussions on joint technical and marketing activities with Micro Cars Ltd. Micro Cars Ltd hopes to introduce an electric car in the near future with the assistance of USA. The Micro Car Company recently achieved a unique opportunity to supply thirty-five Micro MPV Junior vans to Sri Lanka Telecom. It is believed that it has created and established a record in the business world. A major share of the company belongs to an organisation in Japan, one of the world's largest Automobile manufacturing countries. Government being a partner, in this deal has set in motion, a long delayed decision by recognising, locally manufactured vehicles for their usage, which in turn will create a sense of loyalty to locally manufactured products, against imported, well-known established brands. Micro has shown that they could compete with any world renowned brand in quality, safety and design. They also believe that they could match or surpass features offered by major imported vehicle manufacturers. Minister of Industrial Development Kumar Welgama, who was the chief guest at the ceremony where 35 Micro MPV Junior vans were handed over to Sri Lanka Telecom said, he was happy that Micro Cars, the pioneer car manufacturer in Sri Lanka was able to compete with foreign car manufacturers in quality, reliability and design. He said that it is a good beginning where products manufactured in Sri Lanka can compete in the open market to show that their products are acceptable and competitive. He also said that as the minister in charge for the Ministry of Industry Development he would extend his fullest support and co-operation to Micro Cars Ltd and Sri Lankan ventures to emerge as leading manufacturers although we are a few decades behind the other car manufacturing countries which are around 15 in the world. Sri Lanka Telecom CEO Shuhei Anan said that he was happy that his organisation had the opportunity of procuring locally manufactured vehicles for their fleet despite various hurdles he had to face. Chairman of Micro Cars Ltd Dr. Lawrence Perera said that his company would support backup service through the life span of vehicles supplied. The Micro MPV Junior van has a Bosch EFI engine, five forward gear box, front disk brake Dual A/C, eight seats and radio cassette player. The fully equipped modern factory of Micro Cars is in the Export Processing Zone of the BOI at Polgahawela. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
