Micro, a pride to Sri Lanka's auto industry

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The world has always been passionate and amused by the numerous designs put forward by famed automobile manufacturers such as Porsche, Benz, BMW, Ferrari, Fiat, Hummer, Lamborghini, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Land Rover, Renault, Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi.

Auto mobiles are manufactur with the use of solar energy, electric, hydrogen, ethanol and the modification process continues. Korea, China and India too have entered this quest and today it is a US $ multi billion industry with over millions being employed.

In this highly competitive and advanced global automobile market, only a few people would know that there is also a Sri Lankan name engraved among this famed personalities. He not only manufactures and assembles automobiles in Sri Lanka but also has the rare destination of holding a patent to manufacture automobiles. He is only the eleventh such person to have a patent for a car model in the world!

This is the Chairman of Micro Cars, Dr. Lawrence Perera.

The patent was awarded for the 600 CC, Micro car which was launched at the end of 2000 manufactured locally with at least 60% local content. The body was modelled in styling clay and then transferred to composite for final analysis in June 2000. Its first car was registered only in 2003 after a lengthy battle with the motor car registration department of the country.

"I must thank the then Commissioner of the RMV, Gamini Senerath," he recalled with gratitude.

Fuel efficiency

This created a major hype in the local automobile industry for its fuel efficiency and most importantly its price tag of Rs. 450,000. "The market value of this vehicle has increased today and the second hand Micro is today traded at over Rs. 600,000," said Assistant General Manager, Micro Cars Limited, Chamath Tennakoon.

The success and the acceptance in the market for this model prompted them to produce Micro MPV Junior van and the Micro Trend car.

Both Upali Wijewardane and United Motors during the early 1970's and 1980's also assembled cars in Sri Lanka. However due to various reasons they could not continue their operations.

Micro Cars, today is the only Sri Lankan company to have made a noticeable impact in the automobile industry in the country that is dominated by imported vehicles. The micro manufacturing facility at Polgahawela, also saw capital being infused with Rs. 300 million being invested for expansion.

Micro Car is now in a position to manufacture 50 units a month. "This is why we are going in for exports," he said.

Exports

Micro has peached another landmark achievement by becoming the first car manufacture to export locally assembled cars to Nepal. This development would is being viewed with national interest and all Sri Lankans can be proud to see a made in Sri Lanka car being driven in Nepal.

"The car will be priced at Rs 2.3 million in Nepal and it had 35 percent local value addition," said Factory Manager of Micro Cars, Tilak Manawasinghe.

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"Out order is for 150 Micro MX7 vehicles and we have already exported 10 units," he said. "We will next export our vans to Nepal," he said.

"Micro has also succeeded in penetrating the Indian market as we see an opportunity for high end luxury vehicles," he said. The company has already sent test vehicles to India and received "very good" response.

"We would be exporting locally assembled South Korean Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) SsangYong Kyron to India from next year," he said.

The company is manufacturing two SUV type vehicles with the price tag of around Rs. 7.5 million and they have passed the Euro II safety standards.

The company manufactures around 400 vehicles which include cars, SUVs and Micro vans for the local market.

World leaders have said that one of the main features for a developed country is to have its own automobile manufacturing facility and Sri Lankans must be thankful to Dr. Lawrence Perera for giving this rare distinction for Sri Lanka.