Chinese Chery begins to blossom in Sri Lanka next month
View(s):Ideal Motors Ltd, the sole franchise partner of India’s Mahindra & Mahindra in Sri Lanka, has tied up with one of China’s largest car makers – Chery Automobile Company Ltd to market four types of Chery vehicles in the island, officials of the company said.
These four types are; small car – Chery QQ, medium van – Chery YOYO, sedan car – Chery Fulwin 2 FL, and SUV – Chery Tiggo FL. These vehicles will be launched in Sri Lanka next month.
Picture shows Mr, Nalin Welgama exchanging documents with a Chery official.
Ideal has formed a new company, Ideal Chery (Pvt) Ltd to handle marketing of Chery vehicles in Sri Lanka. Ideal Motors signed an agreement with Chery Automobile last month clinching the authorised sole dealership of Chery in Sri Lanka which was earlier with David Pieris Motor Co. Ltd, Chairman of Ideal Motors Nalin Welgama told the Business Times.
Prices of these vehicles range from Rs. 1.8 million to Rs. 3.8 million. He noted that this Chinese automobile company selects only the best establishments to represent its franchised products, establishments that are capable of marketing their philosophy of “quality products and unmatched after sales service.”
Mr. Welgama said British luxury car giant Jaguar Land Rover owned by TATA India is now making Chery limousines, sports cars and upmarket off-roaders at a factory in China under a joint venture between Jaguar and Chery Automobile.
The new Anglo-Chinese joint venture company will not only build vehicles carrying the Jaguar and Land Rover or Range Rover badges, but also design and build a family of brand new vehicles for other countries including Sri Lanka, Mr. Welgama disclosed.
Chamath Tennekoon, Chief Operating Officer/Group Strategist of Ideal Chery (Pvt) Ltd told the Business Times that the company will bring down 50 Cherry units initially and it will be increased considering the demand. He disclosed that it will also market agriculture and construction vehicles manufactured by the Chinese company.
Standard offerings on the basic model includes air-conditioning, power steering, factory fitted front and rear fog lamps, radio cassette, rear screen washer wiper, rear spoiler, high mounted stop lamp, etc.
The full option model offers additional alloy wheels including the spare wheel remote keyless entry, engine immobilizer power mirrors, front and rear power shutters, etc.