Micro Cars chief anticipates automobile industry bounce back
View(s):
Dr. Lawrence Perera and Mr. Joon Bum Kim in the new car.
Sri Lanka’s automobile industry is now undergoing changes with vehicle sales growth expected to slow down this year due to import controls and heavy taxes slapped by the Finance Ministry.
Mobility remains dominated by personal vehicles but the drop in the local vehicle market will be corrected by 2020, Dr. Lawrence Perera – Chairman and CEO of Micro Holdings and Micro Cars Ltd said.
Automakers will need to find innovative ways to retain consumers’ loyalty as they will no longer be tied down with capital investments or contracts to a specific brand or service provider, he told the Business Times on the sidelines of the launching ceremony of the fourth generation Korando SUV in Colombo last week.
The government should encourage local products, and especially an industry such as automobiles requires a certain tax relief for composite material used for making cars, he said.
The industrial policy and taxation system prevailing at present is not friendly and conducive to local industrialists and manufacturers.
The Micro brand of which Sri Lanka could be proud of became well known the world over, even in countries such as Germany, China and Korea, he said.
Sri Lanka should focus on the electric car, he said adding that with sunshine around all throughout the year, car solar batteries fitted to electric engines can be charged at no cost and it will also save fuel.
Micro Cars Ltd, the sole agents in Sri Lanka for SsangYong Motors since 2006 has launched the latest fourth-generation C300 Korando for the Sri Lankan market.
Targeted at the permit holders, this 1.6L intercooler turbo diesel 4×4 SUV comes with a feature set and value proposition that is unmatched in its class.
Joon Bum Kim, General Manager from SsangYong Motors who was in Sri Lanka to grace this grand Korando launch, stated: “The all new Korando is one of many great steps taken by SsangYong Motors in building a futuristic SUV. Micro has always strived to ensure that SsangYong had a competitive share in the SUV market of Sri Lanka. Therefore, we strongly believe our current and future SsangYong customers will truly experience a unique SUV drive with the all new Korando C300 with Micro Cars.” (Bandula)