Suzuki Wagon R stands tall in Lanka’s declining vehicle market
View(s):Suzuki Wagon R hybrid sales recorded a new high in December last year becoming the only category showing an impressive growth in the small hybrid engine cars category, JB Securities, a Colombo-based equity brokerage and research house, revealed in a research note.
It said 128 brand new Suzuki Wagon R hybrid cars were sold through its local agents, Associated Motorways (Pvt) Ltd (AMW) in December 2017 while the pre-owned Wagon R hybrid recorded sales growth of 1578 units in the same month, JB Securities said adding that these figures are almost 3 times higher than the previous months.
AMW launched the brand new Japanese Suzuki WagonR Premium Hybrid in October 2017 at its flagship showroom in Borella.
A team of engineering experts from Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan carried out complete technical research in Sri Lanka on the adaptation of this model to the country’s environmental background.
Covering fuel quality, road conditions, elevation and climate conditions along with detailed study of key engine components of vehicle used in Sri Lanka. Performance was evaluated through computerised engine data collected from vehicles currently running in Sri Lanka.
Under the the revised unit method based on engine capacity, the Suzuki Wagon R hybrid attracts a duty of Rs. 825,000 (660cc x Rs.1,250/cc) and the price is around Rs. 2.8 million.
Meanwhile total vehicle registration in Sri Lanka fell to 33,925 units in December 2017 from 37,483 in November, with declines in all major categories including three –wheelers and motor cycles except cars, vans pick ups and mini trucks during this period.
The registration of cars has increased to 3432 units from 2468 while SUVS and Crossovers declined to 447 units from 576.
Registration of vans has gone up to 654 units from 575 and the three wheelers dropped to 1235 from 2270.
Motor cycle registration has dropped to 24,931 from 28,334, JB Securities revealed.