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Ride along in a Lankan put-put
Hiranthi Fernando meets Mohamed Nassar, the man behind Alba Classic, the first trishaw made in Sri Lanka

What would we do without the threewheeler, so handy when you have to make a quick journey? Realising the demand, M. Y. M. Nassar came up with the idea of producing a three-wheeler locally.

His pet project was realised in April this year when the Alba Classic, the first trishaw produced in Sri Lanka was exhibited at the Maharagama Youth Centre. Today, 45 Alba Classics are out on the streets while more are in the making.

"I have been in this field for 21 years," said Mohamed Nassar who first got into the trade by importing spare parts for three-wheelers. It all began, Nassar said, when his aunt purchased one of the first three-wheelers imported to the country.

As there were no spare parts available, she brought what she needed for her vehicle from India.

Other users of three-wheelers had also requested spares from India and this gave Nassar the idea of starting a spare part business.

In 1983, he opened a small shop for the sale of three-wheeler and motorcycle spare parts.

As business flourished, Nassar built a larger shop and also started a service and repair centre. "Everything for three-wheelers was available under one roof," he said. "Apart from selling spares, repairs, servicing, reboring of engines, lathework, welding and painting are all undertaken at the centre in Maligawatte.

Ten years ago, Nassar conceived the idea of turning out the spare parts locally, thereby saving valuable foreign exchange.

He first bought 13 acres of land at Wellampitiya and built a factory. Gradually, he started importing machinery from Japan and Singapore and moulds from India. "While working in the import trade, I visited factories in 40 countries and learned a lot," Nassar said. His seven-year stint in Saudi Arabia as a maintenance supervisor for Lockheed also helped.

"We started making the parts last year. With about 100,000 three-wheelers on the roads, there was a ready market for them."

When the government launched its 100 day programme, the National Youth Council requested Nassar to exhibit a product and using the plan he had already made, he went into production, turning out a three-wheeler for the exhibition in April 2002. After the exhibition, there were numerous inquiries and orders for the Alba Classic.

"I received much encouragement from those who visited the exhibition," Nassar said. "I feel people have great feeling for the country and are happy to support the local industry. I got more and more motivated."

By June, five more Alba Classic three-wheelers were ready. They were snapped up as soon as they were produced and many more orders came in.

Although there were orders for about 100 units in a month, they initially began by manufacturing 10 or 15 vehicles and are now producing 20 to 25 per month.

They still have to complete about 37 units that have been ordered.

The factory at Wellampitiya employs 70 workers. First, the various parts of the chassis and body are moulded and turned out by the machines and then taken to another building for welding and assembly.

The body is fitted on to the chassis, the vehicles spray-painted and seats fitted, cushioning done and the hood fitted. In the meantime, the engine parts, which are imported are assembled. The completed body is fitted with the engine and the Alba Classic is ready to hit the roads.

Nihal, who has been a three-wheeler driver for 20 years, purchased an Alba Classic two months ago. He says it has many advantages over other models.

"The self starter, which has replaced the kick starter is a great advantage because even an elderly man can drive," Nihal commented.

"Having a petrol gauge instead of only a reserve tank is also useful. I no longer have to stop in the middle of the road to change over to the reserve tank." Brighter lights and a signal system which is more visible to approaching vehicles are also positive factors.

A single windscreen glass also provides better visibility to the driver. An ampere meter shows whether the battery is charging and a brake oil indicator gives warning of any brake oil shortage.

Hazard lights are useful at junctions. The cushioned seats of the Alba Classic are also adjustable to suit the driver.

"I am proud to be the owner of a locally produced three-wheeler," said Samsudeen Ahamed, who purchased his Alba Classic last month. "We also get a finished product complete with cushioned seats and hood," he said. "We get a year's guarantee and three free services. Any small repairs that crop up are attended to at the factory."

"We try our best to keep our customers satisfied," Nassar said. "Our staff has worked hard to make this project a success and to supply as many orders as they can.

"We have got encouragement and cooperation from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, the Customs, Ministry and other departments."

Nassar said they are now receiving export orders from Bangladesh, Nigeria and Madagascar. However, to increase production, they need to put in more money and expand the factory. For instance, he said if they had a heater room for painting with the paint bath system, they could paint 10 - 15 vehicles per day. At present, painting is held up in rainy weather. Financing is also a constraint. "We have to borrow money at 18%, 24% and even 32%. This is a burden for local industries.

"If we could borrow money at a more reasonable interest rate, we could achieve so much more. In India, for instance the interest rate is 6%," Nassar said.

More unemployed youth could also be employed with expansion, Nassar said.

At present, he employs 150 altogether in his factory, service centre and spare part shop.

Increasing production would make the Alba Classic available at a much cheaper rate to the consumer, he adds, hopeful that the government would find ways of encouraging local industrialists with more assistance and concessionary interest rates.

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