Chinese cars to be assembled in Sri Lanka
by Shirajiv Sirimane
Wasana Tading (Pvt) Limited Ltd, Ja Ela has tied up with one of the
leading Chinese Automobile Companies, Chongqing Chana Automobiles Co.
Ltd, Jiangbei district, to put up a plant to assemble vans and motor
bikes in Sri Lanka.
The company is already assembling and marketing six models of motor
bikes under the trade name, Wasana in collaboration with Chongqing Chana
Automobiles China. These locally manufactured models also include two
bikes with remote control start and alarm system. The company is
scheduled to open their van assembly plant in August 2005.
According to Director, Wasana Tading (Pvt) Limited Ltd, Indika
Sampath Merenchige the Chinese company would make 70 percent of the
investment. "This would be a BOI approved venture and already we have
purchesed a land for the proposed factory in Ekala," he said. The total
investment for the new project would be around Rs. 30 million.
Chana Automobile's vans and crew cabs are already being sold in Sri
Lanka and due to its high demand, the Chinese company has decided to
assemble their vans and motor bikes in Sri Lanka. Chana Automobiles
already has an assembling plant in Pakistan.
The Chinese counterparts are also keen on the Indian market. "Though
there are many Indian automobile manufacturers, there is a demand for
Chinese vehicles specially for vans. The Sri Lanka India FTA is also
another factor the Chinese investors are keen to invest in Sri Lanka,"
he said.
He said that the Van, 'Changam' with a sitting capacity of seven and
powered by a 4 cylinder, 4 stroke water-cooled 8 valve gasoline engine
built on Japanese technology is the most popular van in China. "A
similar five-door brand new van is currently being sold for over Rs. 2
million and we are hoping to market this for less than Rs. 1 million,"
he said.
Already over 100 have been employed for their motor bike assembly
operations and this project would generate employment for another 100.
"Chinese technicians would be in Sri Lanka to oversee the Van assembling
operations and train Sri Lankan technicians staff," he said.
Wasana Trading (Pvt.) Limited Ltd. has also met officials of the
Register of Motor vehicles (RMV) and has got a cleared red tape to
register the new van in Sri Lanka.
He said that their next project would be to assemble the crew cab in
Sri Lanka. "This too is a popular vehicle in China and already we have
sold many vehicles in Sri Lanka," he said. The Chinese investors are
also looking at the possibility of locally manufacturing some of the
materials such as, seats, fan belts, lights, tyres, covers for motor
bikes and Vans in Sri Lanka.
Wasana Tading (Pvt) Limited Ltd. was established a decade ago and
their prime business was buying and selling vehicles. It was brainchild
of Mrs. Shelin Muhandiram the mother of the two managing Directors,
Indiaka Sampath and Asiri Dayan Merenchige to introduce a assembling
plant in Sri Lanka. "Chines vehicles are cheaper and are of the same
high quality of Japanese vehicles," he said. |