Car Mart undergoes pragmatic transformation, focus on modernisation
Car Mart Ltd is now undergoing a pragmatic transformation focusing on modernisation whilst offering exceptional personalised services for customers under the management of the second and third generation of Car Mart founder Clarence Amerasinghe.
The company was founded in 1948 as a used car mart and it was incorporated in 1953 entering into distributor agreement and becoming the official agent for Peugeot in Sri Lanka.
Yasendra in a well maintained old Peugeot
Peugeot 203 was the first vehicle imported by Car Mart and since then it has gone a long way towards launching its new model, Peugeot 208, said Senaka Amerasinghe, Managing Director of the company in an interview with the Business Times.
Car Mart is the oldest continuously running importer for Peugeot in the Asian region and one of the oldest in the world, he disclosed.
The market too for Peugeot market in Sri Lanka has witnessed considerable change as the brand continues its premium up market segment, he said, adding that the company has introduced the Peugeot 208 at ceremony held at the Colombo Blue Box showroom appointing the Editor of ‘Hi’ magazine Shyamalee Tudawe as ‘Brand Ambassador’ for Peugeot in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Amerasinghe who was flanked by his son Yasendra Amerasinghe, Director/CEO of Car Mart, at the board room of the new Blue Box showroom revealed the features of its newly introduced model, Peugeot 208.
The new 208, the latest model in the popular 2 series is a vehicle capable of appealing to today’s discerning customers, with ever changing expectations and the 208 project adopted the most ambitious specification overhaul ever undertaken by Peugeot to create a vehicle which marks a true generation leap, he said.
New generation: Senaka Amerasinghe and son, Yasendra . Pix by Mangala Weerasekera
Explaining further Yasendra Amerasinghe noted that in the ‘floating’ grille, light signatures, ‘boomerang’ rear lamps – each detail is designed in complete coherence with the general volume, structured by a “spine” the impression of which is even visible on the roof of the vehicle.
The interior of the 208 features a bold break from tradition in the form of the innovative ‘head up instrument panel’, he pointed out.
Instead of looking at the instruments through the steering wheel, the driver looks over the steering wheel, which has been reduced in size to give a sportier feel, to a raised instrument panel that is more in the line of sight.
This new layout increases visibility, reduces driver distraction, and with its full colour display, provides the driver with information on everything from vehicle speed, to radio and media information without having to stray their eyes far from the road, he said.
Outlining the transformation process of the company, he revealed that the new Blue Box showroom concept launched by them is a global initiative by the French automaker which will see all its international outlets adhering to a new design template that encompasses a stylish and minimalist look focusing on customer comfort and blue aluminium tones to better highlight the vehicles.
“Many of our customers maintain close, personal ties with Car Mart and feel at home here. The company is providing an after sales service including maintenance and repairing of vehicles at their fully fledged workshop,” he said. “That is what we hope to capitalise on, improving professionalism whilst, offering personalised service that makes our customers feel that they are being well looked after,” he added.