Another first for Sri Lanka:

Micro assembles Double deckers

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

For the first time in history Micro Cars Ltd will be assembling double-decker buses in Sri Lanka from next August.

The Chairman Micro Cars and veteran automobile engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perara said that two proto types of the bus would be ready by April. “We hope to launch the first double-decker bus by early August,” he said.

The Company hopes to open a special manufacturing plant in Hambantota for this purpose. “We are hoping to invest Rs, 350 million for this project,” he said. The project would provide over 900 direct and over 2500 indirect employment opportunities.

Two types of buses - luxury coach and double-decker types would be built. “We are hoping to market a double-decker bus for around Rs. 10 million which would be 60 percent less than an imported model,” he said.

Dr. Perera said that engines would be imported either from India or China while the transmission and brake systems would be imported from Germany while the local value addition component would be nearly 40 percent.

“The Board of Investment has already promised to purchase one Micro bus and we are now looking at securing purchase orders from the Sri Lanka Transport Ministry and private transport operators,” he said.

Micro, the first car manufacturer in Sri Lanka also signed a historical transfer of technology Agreement to set up a manufacturing plant in the Caribbean Islands (in British Guyana) targeting Latin American countries. “We hope to assemble the double-decker bus kits targeting the Latin American market,” he said.

Micro Cars Ltd will provide all necessary technical assistance design and engineering skills required for the project and will also send senior engineers from Sri Lanka.

Micro Cars Caribbean plans to sell well over 1000 units during the first year of operation with an annual target of 1500 units during the second and third years. Sri Lanka will earn foreign exchange by supplying components; parts and accessories in addition will be paid a royalty fee for each unit sold in Caribbean.

He said that the Rexton SUV car, which is the latest to be launched by the Micro Group too has a large demand. “We are now manufacturing 150 vehicles per month,” he said.