Micro cars to Nepal, new milestone for Sri Lanka

By L.S. Ananda KANNANGARA

The export of MICRO cars to Nepal is a milestone in the Sri Lankan manufacturing industry. It was the first time a car which has a Sri Lankan brand identity found an export market.

It is due to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision of boosting the local manufacturing industry and extending State patronage that the MICRO car got off the ground, said Transmac Group and MICRO cars Ltd Chairman Dr. Lawrence Perera.

MICRO cars Ltd set-up in 1999, designed and manufactured its first car MICRO Econo in 2002, within three years.

The manufacturing plant was set-up in Polgahawela in 2003 as a BoI project. Three models the MICRO ECONO, MICRO MPV Junior and the MICRO Trend were introduced to the local market at the initial stage.

Priority for research

We gave priority to research and development. A range of cars, vans and SUVs and agricultural tractors were introduced to the local market during the last seven years, Dr. Perera said.

He said it is difficult to build customer confidence for an introductory brand of an unknown product, especially a vehicle. Local buyers such as the public sector organisations comprising the Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Judiciary, Parliament and the Sri Lanka Telecom extended a helping hand by purchasing MICRO products.

All car permit holders also purchased MICRO SUVs and cars due to the government's farsighted decision of permitting only local manufactured cars for the permits.

The chairman said that the reputation for MICRO products in the local market had its effect on the foreign market as well. Brand quality and stability are vital for the foreign buyers. We are on the threshold of expanding our foreign market, he said.

Next market

The "Caribbean Islands" will be our next export destination. Our products will be exported to Guyana.

Dr. Perera, an old boy of St. Antony's College Katugastota and the Ceylon-German Technical Training Institute earned a wide knowledge and experience in automobile engineering in Germany, France, the Middle East and leading local companies.

He was honoured by Japan for his services to the automobile engineering sector during the last three decades. The presidential award for innovation 2004, Best innovation 2003, Best innovation of Transport Business 2004, Gold medal for the most outstanding citizen in Sri Lanka have been awarded to Dr. Lawrence Perera by the Institute of Engineers and Sri Lanka Government in recognition of his services to the automobile industry and the country.

According to the agreement signed with the MICRO franchise holder in Nepal, 150 MICRO sedan Ms 7 and MICRO MPVJ vehicles will be exported to Nepal. Standard accessories of remote central locking, air-condition, power steering and power mirrors are important features of MICRO vehicles. The estimated cost of a vehicle is between US $6500 to 10000.

The chairman said that there is an increasing demand for prime movers specially in the container transportation sector. Manufacture of prime movers has already been launched at the Polgahawela plant. Under transfer of technology program with an European-Chinese company in China a super luxury bus manufacturing project has also been commenced, he said.

Govt's wise move

He said the recent tax reduction on the import of cars and SUVs has greatly helped people to buy vehicles. It is indeed a very good move by the government. The car industry comprises the importer, the local manufacturer, the dealer and all the employment they collectively generate. The bottom line by making an imported car more affordable to the general publics the government is not only facilitating social development but also increasing much needed revenue.