Indra Traders is Foton Agent in Lanka

Hiran H. SENEWIRATNE

INDRA Traders (Pvt) Limited (ITL) has been appointed as the local agent for Foton brand, the China’s largest automobile company.

At present Foton Motors Company Limited is the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in China with the most complete range of vehicle models and has eight major brands including Auman, Auv, View, Saga, Aumark, Ollin, Sup and Forland, its Brand Manager Meng John Guangman said at the launch.

He said that Foton’s export market covers almost five continents and they upgrade their product features to cater to the needs of agents all over the world, primarily boosting Chinese economy.

ITL is the sole agent for Foton brand in Sri Lanka and signed the agreement at the launching ceremony. Guangman speaking at the launch said that they are willing to contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic development and both countries diplomatic relationships are now span more than 50 years.

He said that Fonton Motor Company employs 28,000 and it is expected to manufacture more than one million vehicle units in 2010.

It is an enterprise group with its all spare parts branches which are distributed in eight provinces, municipalities directly under the Chinese government.

The company’s all research and development is done in Japan, Germany and Taiwan, Guangman said. Indra Traders (Pvt) Limited (ITL) Managing Director Y.S.H.R.S Silva said they have set a target to sell more than 400 units before the end of this year.

‘These vehicles are ideal for Sri Lankan road conditions and are economical than other vehicles in the market.

ITL is also diversified in to many sectors. It has a Finance Company approved by the Central Bank to deal with financing and leasing purposes, a fleet management company for corporate sector, de Silva said.

Grande Punto wins design award

HOT on the heels of its nomination as Scottish Small Car of the Year, Fiat Auto’s new Grande Punto has received “Auto Car” magazine’s coveted Design Award 2006,in UK which was presented to Frank Stephension, head of Fiat and Lancia Stile, at a ceremony in Brook lands.

In its award citation, Auto Car comments: “Grande Punto” was an instant hit. Building on the Panda’s progress, it brought one of the fastest turnarounds on record to Fiat Auto, and more than anything, it was the Grande Punto’s design that made the difference.

Chuck in some funky interiors, decent quality, the usual excellent packaging and keen prices, and you have the desired blockbuster.”

Since its UK launch, in February 2006, Grande Punto had recorded sales of more than 29,000 units by the end of last month.

Fiat Grande Punto was launched in Sri Lanka by Euro Motors in March 2007, at the Fiat’s grand re launch in March 2007.Currently, the Fiat Grande Punto two door sports version and four door versions (with petrol engines) are available at the Euro Motors showroom at 207, Park Road, Colombo 05.

The diesel version is also available exclusively for permit holders.

Isuzu to produce mid-size buses in India

TRUCKMAKER Isuzu will become the first Japanese automaker to produce mid-size buses in India later this month, a report said yesterday.

Japan’s largest truckmaker will team up with Sumitomo Corp. and Swaraj Mazda Ltd. to bring a new auto plant online next to their existing factory in northern Delhi, the Nikkei newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.

The buses will be priced around 1.5 million yen (13,200 dollars), some 20 percent higher than buses made by local manufacturers but 10-20 percent lower than those offered by European rivals, the newspaper said.

Isuzu plans to expand production to include trucks by 2010, it said.

When the new plant starts to operate at full capacity, the company’s two lines will be capable of producing 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles annually, the Nikkei said.

It aims to raise combined annual sales of trucks and buses to 30,000 vehicles or so before 2015, it said.

In a new mid-term management plan released last month, Isuzu said it will focus on overseas markets, particularly in Asia.

AFP

Chery’s 1,000,000th car released

CHERY’S 1,000,000th car, Chery A3 was officially released offline at No.3 Final Assembly in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China.

This was the day destined to be written into the history of Chery and the Chinese auto industry. It was the day when Chery’s 1,000,000th car was released offline and a Chinese auto brand had achieved the goal of 1,000,000 cars’ production for the first time.

Over 1,000 people inspected and took part in the release ceremony, including the leaders of the relevant ministries and committees of the State, the leaders of Wuhu Municipal Government, numerous leaders from auto industry, over 400 Chinese reporters having been paying close attention to Chery’s growth and its partners, suppliers and distributors both home and abroad.

Since starting from scratch on March 18, 1997, Chery has built itself into a strong Chinese brand through independent innovation so as to form the complete R & D system and a strong manufacture capability, expanding its share in the domestic and overseas markets and creating ten No.1:

It has taken upon itself “independent innovation and striving for the best” since its establishment and eventually ranked itself stably among the first camp through unremitting efforts.

AFP