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BMW premiers X3 in Asia

Jayasri Jayakody in Singapore

BMW Group Asia premiered the X3 at Singapore, at the BMW World Singapore, being held in celebration of its 25 years anniversary.

The BMW World was held from November 9 to 14 at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Sands Expo Convention Centre.

Speaking at the launch, BMW Group Sales and Marketing-Importer Markets Vice President Graeme Grieve said that BMW will be looking into strengthening their network in Sri Lanka and the economic crisis required them to redouble their efforts and draw on their full potential.

“The BMW Group emerged with unimagined strength by acting with speed and determination, implementing actions early to offset the effects of the crisis and at the same time continued to invest in our future,” he said. “Very few car manufacturers generated positive results in 2009, but BMW was one of them,” he said.

He said BMW did not go for price cuts during the recession. “There has always been a healthy ongoing demand for premium cars despite the challenges, as customers become more discerning about their products,” he said.

As at the end of 2009, Germany, the USA and the UK continue to lead the demand for BMW, Grieve said.

BMW Group Asia Managing Director Johannes Seibert said China, the fourth largest market for BMW Group globally, is the market with the highest sales volume in Asia.

Answering the question whether they have identified new markets for BMW vehicles in Asia, Seibert said “We are constantly approached by parties who have expressed interest in becoming our dealers in new markets that we will evaluate to asses the feasibility of such proposals.” BMW has introduced the BMW X3 to the Asian market as the segment has grown through the introduction of many models in recent years, and the company believes it will continue to grow further, he said.

“Customer deliveries of the current X models amount to more than 1.7 million units since the first generation was launched in late 1999. Annual sales are stable. Right from the start, the BMW X models took their place in sales statistics. This proves that the X models are an outstanding success and shows that it was the right decision,” he said.

“Apart from its economic success, the X models naturally play an important role in boosting our image. Many acknowledge the BMW X3 and the BMW X5 as Sports Activity Vehicles,” Seibert said.

According to the BMW quarterly report (September 30, 2010), BMW Group had performed particularly well in Asia during the period under report, with sales for the third quarter up by 62 percent to 77,645 units and by 59 percent to 206,490 units for the nine month period.

BMW is represented by Prestige Motors of Battaramulla.

Dankotuwa produces ERI Trophy

Dankotuwa produced the ERI trophy in porcelain for the West Indies Cricket tour creating history.Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC produced the three ERI trophies for the West Indies - Sri Lanka cricket series in porcelain with gold and platinum coating. This is believed to be the first time that a trophy has been produced in porcelain.

“The challenge to produce a trophy in porcelain was given to us by our new parent company ERI just a few days ago. Being a creative company, having a talented set of people, we took up the challenge and a team from design, modeling, casting, forming, firing, glazing, printing and decoration departments led by Technical DM Dr Farook produced an amazing result”, Chairman Sunil G Wijesinha said.

Wijesinha who was at the launch of the test trophy and press conference at Cinnamon Grand said the best compliment was from the West Indies captain who commented, before answering the first question directed at him, that it was a ‘beautiful trophy’.

Dankotuwa had no experience with previous porcelain trophies and hardly any time to research, a special team from several departments came together and planned it.

Porcelain is a very difficult product to make and has to go through four firings apart from many drying stages. In making porcelain cast items the first step is the design which requires many calculations since the product shrinks in the second firing at over 1,300 degrees Celsius for over 28 hours.

The designers also have to take into consideration the vulnerable areas that may warp during firing.

Once the design is completed a mould is made after which the item is cast, dried and then “biscuit” fired to make it hard and porous. Glazing is the next step where it is immersed in a glaze solution.

The glost firing is the next and most important stage after which it is either covered by a specially printed decal or in this case manually coated with special 24 carat gold and platinum. Finally it is once again fired to fix the colours and the precious metals. In this case two firings were necessary. “We were able to create this wonderful piece of art due to the creativity of staff, the passion to produce something unique and our wonderful team spirit”, Dr Farook said

Unlike most other metal trophies this trophy needs very little care since the gold will not tarnish. It only needs a cleaning with a soft cloth once in a while.

SALA ProSat GPS wins e-Swabimani 2010 award

SALA ProSat GPS Navigation system was awarded e-Swabhimani 2010 at the National Best e-Content Awards conducted by the ICTA.

Commenting on this achievement, SALA GEO Information Systems Managing Director Chinthaka Wijewikrama said they are honoured to have been recognized as an e-Swabhimani with the SALA ProSat GPS Navigation system which was conceptualized just a year ago, and was launched in Sri Lanka a few months before.

“We as an organization have pioneered many introductions in the technological front and feel highly elated to realize that the national body has recognized our contribution. We have been endorsed by the Defence Ministry and the Sri Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. The system supports navigation in any part of Sri Lanka, with voice guided directions. We have done extensive research in creating the map that backs our system and that is undeniably the key to the efficiency of our system,” he said.

“Our philosophy in business in to provide technologically advance innovative solutions at an affordable price, this is well aligned with the objectives of the e-vision for this country,” he said.

The e-Swabhimani Award contributes to the vision of the President, in the e-Sri Lanka initiative, in taking the dividends of ICT to every village and citizen.

The competition covered 11 categories and selected winners out of 163 Nominations.

Sala Enterprises Ltd is a leading group dealing with computer peripherals, telecommunication to the local market.

They are the sole distributor for many international brands providing innovative technology to Sri Lanka.

AmEx members win Blackberry’s

American Express, the Credit Card acquired and issued solely by Nations Trust Bank PLC announced the winners of the promotion carried out at Alpha Orient Lanka - Duty Free Outlet at BIA. This promotion in partnership with Alpha Orient Lanka and Etisalat saw eight winners walk away with Blackberry Bold phones with a free connection courtesy of Etisalat.

The Cardmembers were encouraged to enter the lucky draw by spending US $ 65 or more on their duty free purchases using their American Express Card.

“This exclusive promotion entitled all American Express Cardmembers who made purchases using their American Express Card at Alpha Orient Lanka Duty Free stores located at BIA Arrivals and Departure a chance to win eight Blackberry Bold phones with a free connections each,” said American Express Cards Chief Manager Lewie Diasz. “It has been a privilege to partner with Alpha Orient Lanka and world renowned communication partner Etisalat for this promotion. As this has been another tremendous success, we foresee many more similar tie-ups in the ensuing year,” he said.

The winners were selected by a draw at the end of the promotion in the presence of an official from the Revenue Department.

The American Express Card is issued and acquired in Sri Lanka solely by Nations Trust Bank PLC.

Casons expands fleet

Casons Rent-A-Car which is one of the pioneer rent-a-car companies in Sri Lanka has enhanced their fleet with modern vehicles to meet the increasing demand. Casons Managing Director Zakir Ahamed said that a new demand is emerging for motor bikes from tourists which they have introduced now to cater for this market.

A founder member of Rent-a-car Association in Sri Lanka, Ahamed said that tourists are going through a lot of difficulties in getting their driving licences endorsed because they have to go to Werahera which is very inconvenient for tourists.

“Most of our clients are repeat tourists and they prefer to hire a car when they come to Sri Lanka and the country should be able to assist them to get things done in a convenient manner. It is better if all the foreigners can be allowed to use their valid international driving licences for a period of three months,” he said. He hoped that the Government will give attention to this matter during this opportune time, he said.

Douglas and Sons rewards customers

Douglas and Sons (Pvt.) Ltd, is rewarding all its valued customers with exciting gifts such as tours to Bangkok, car vacuum cleaners, rechargeable torches, umbrellas and much more.

DSL Managing Director Saroj Perera said, “Undoubtedly, this is one of the biggest and most rewarding promotions we have conducted.

We have been able to capture the popularity for Global brand among the end users, while attracting numerous winners through this mega campaign”.

He said that among the winners are two who have already won trips to Bangkok.

The promotion will be open till mid December 2010.

Nikkei rises on yen

Japan’s Nikkei average rose 1.1 percent on Monday as a softer yen and stronger-than-expected Japanese growth data for July-September encouraged investors to buy on dips.

The technical trend for the Nikkei remained bullish after its climb to a 4-11 month high above 9,800 last week, with sporadic buying emerging after it fell on Friday by more than one percent.

The Nikkei ended the day up 102.70 points at 9,827.51, with some market players citing help from buying by European investors.

The Nikkei fell on Friday, weighed down by profit-taking, after scoring a 4-11 month high of 9,885.37 earlier last week.

Reuters