Ideal Motors, AA to transfer automobile technology

"Ideal Motors will set up a fully-fledged automobile training centre in Colombo this year", said Chairman, Ideal Motors, Nalin Welgama at a ceremony to tie up with the Automobile Association (AA) of Ceylon for the transfer of automobile technology to rural areas.

Chairman, Ideal Motors, Nalin Welgama, President AA, Dhammika Attygalle, Deputy Chairman, Ideal Motors Aravinda de Silva and other officials at the media briefing.

He said the state-of-the-art centre will be set up in Ratmalana and it will help enhance the capabilities of rural youth on automobile technology.

"The rural community lacks knowledge on modern automobile technology. Our aim is to impart the know-how to youth who will be skilled to handle modern technology", Welgama said.

The training centre will be set up with an investment of around Rs. 20 million and it will be under the supervision of Mahindra & Mahindra, India.

Welgama said the strategic alliance with AA will help empower rural mechanics with latest automobile training skills in line with current global trends.

President AA, Dhammika Attygalle said that the Association was happy to partner with Ideal Motors and added that the AA will help facilitate training at the AA centres in Colombo.

Ideal Motors, a member of the Ideal Group has sold over 5,000 units of Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles in a span of 15 months. Ideal Motors was appointed sole distributors for Mahindra & Mahindra in 2009.

Mahindra & Mahindra is recognised as the first Indian company to introduce electronic control units and common rail- diesel technology to utility based automobiles.

Deputy Chairman, Ideal Motors Aravinda de Silva said the company targets to sell 10,000 units within the next two years.

The Automobile Association celebrated 107 years in existence on Wednesday. The Association was formed in 1904 as the Automobile Club of Ceylon by Britishers.