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Drive
DIMO gives 'Raja Selakilla' to Matara
Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) held their first "Raja
Selakilla" campaign in Matara at their showroom premises in Pamburana.
This was based on a concept proposed by the Chairman, Ranjith Pandithage
where all brands represented by DIMO visit main cities in Sri Lanka and
provide an opportunity for the public to experience these brands.
Appropriately named "Raja Selakilla", this combined campaign allowed
the public to experience these first-in-class brands and experience true
royal treatment. The first campaign was held at the DIMO Matara Branch
from May 22-24. And it turned out to be a resounding success.
Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, parts, accessories and service, TATA
sales, parts and service, Chrysler sales, Bosch automotive equipment and
power tools, Komatsu heavy machinery and forklifts, Osram lights,
Mahindra Tractors, Claas harvesters, Siemens telecom equipment, service
unit for Japanese passenger cars and DIMO engine repair unit were some
of the departments which participated. Each department offered discounts
to customers who purchased products within these three days.
DIMO Automobile Training School provided an opportunity for
schoolchildren in Matara to experience and learn about Mercedes-Benz
engines and their operation. Engine cut models sent by Daimler AG, were
displayed to these children.
Instructors trained in Germany explained the Mercedes-Benz technology
at the campaign.
Customers who brought their vehicles for free servicing and
inspection stood the chance to win valuable gifts and free vouchers
every hour. Customers were very happy with the overall service and
experience they received at Matara, and were thankful to DIMO for coming
to Matara to do such an activity.
This promotion was amply supported by live updates over the radio and
street awareness campaigns in Matara, Galle and Hambantota districts.
The next "Raja Selakilla" is planned for Kurunegala in September 2008.
*****
Over 300,000 new C-Class sold
 In the year since its market launch, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is
continuing the success story of the predecessor model: more than 300,000
customers worldwide have purchased either a sedan or a station wagon
variant of the new model since its official introduction in 2007.
The most important market for the C-Class is Germany, which accounts
for 25 percent of total sales, followed by the U.S., UK, Italy, and
South Africa. A total of 290,000 C-Class sedans from the W204 Series
have been sold worldwide.
The New C-Class has been a success in Sri Lanka with customers
appreciating its excellent driving experience. Mercedes-Benz vehicles
are sold and serviced in Sri Lanka by Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC.
The BMW Group intends to continue its successful business performance
in the current year.
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BMW car |
"We are aiming towards a current year profit before tax-adjusted for
the exceptional gain on the settlement of exchangeable bond on shares in
the British aero engine manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, in 2007 that is
higher than in the previous year", said the Chairman of the Board of
Management of BMW AG Norbert Reithofer.
The BMW Group plans to achieve new record sales volume figures for
all three brands in 2008 and hence to retain its position as the world's
leading premium manufacture.
"The BMW Group expects another record number of deliveries in 2008.
We remain well on course to achieving our strategic sales volume target
of 1.8 million vehicles in 2012," he said.
The BMW Group again faces some major challenges in the current year
as a result of the strong euro, a weaker US economy and continuing high
raw material prices. It is also likely to be confronted in the future by
stricter emission standards in many countries.
The BMW Group has invested several hundred millions of euros in
environment-friendly technologies in recent years, enabling and
providing the BMW Group a competitive edge over its competitors.
"Our EfficientDynamics programme offers customers the best technology
that is currently available on the market to reduce fuel consumption and
CO2 emissions", he said.
In 2007, some 450,000 vehicles were sold in Europe alone equipped
with EfficientDynamics. This figure is expected to rise in 2008 over
830,000 vehicles. By 2012, the BMW Group's Automobiles segment is aiming
to achieve a return on capital employed in excess of 26 per cent and a
return on sales in a range of 8 per cent to 10per cent.
"Profitability is an essential factor in our endeavours to safeguard
the future of the BMW Group" he said.
The BMW Group achieved all of the targets that it had set itself for
the financial year 2007 by posting new record sales volume and revenue
figures and an adjusted profit before tax higher than one year earlier.
Profit before tax, at euro 3,873 million (2006: euro 4,124 million),
was 6.1 per cent down on the record level achieved in the previous year.
Adjusted for the exceptional impact of the settlement of the
exchangeable bond on shares in the British engine manufacturer,
Rolls-Royce plc, the profit before tax, as previously announced, was
0.6% higher than one year earlier.
The exceptional gain on the conversion of the remaining options in
2007, at euro 97 million, was significantly lower than the previous
year's gain of euro 372 million. Group EBIT rose by 4.0 per cent to euro
4,212 million (2006: euro 4,050 million). |
