Motor

Dave Tractors celebrates a decade of excellence

Dave tractors concluded their Dealer Convention for 2011 at Cinnamon Lakeside last week and the latest four-wheel drive tractor from John Deer, 5D MFWD was also launched at this event.

Dave Tractors has been the sole agent for the technologically superior American tractor Brand John Deer, for over a decade. John Deer has won the reputation of 'world's number one tractor' for its technical superiority. Due to the tireless research and development efforts of John Deer America and John Deer Asia, the company has maintained technological superiority for over a century.

As such, it is the only tractor in Sri Lanka that offers power steering and disk brakes enabling smooth functioning in muddy surfaces. The ability to support the functioning of a 42-blade rotavator is another unique feature in the tractor.

The Managing Director, Dave Tractors noted, "in comparison with other tractors in the market, it is with great pride we announce that John Deer is the only tractor that offers horse power ranging from 35 to 560 giving customers from the agriculture and other industrial segments a choice depending on their need. As we offer a two-year warranty.

I also wish to state that Dave Tractors is committed to a superior after sales service and many new plans will be implemented in the near future with the objective of raising the bar. We have also made available ample spare parts at affordable prices".

Dave Tractors, a subsidiary of the Dave Group has been in operation for over two decades and is in the forefront of providing high quality farming related equipment. Its Board of Directors has played an integral role towards the development of the Company.

Currently Dave Tractors market a number of agriculture related brands making it the largest importer and distributor of Agro Machinery in Sri Lanka, while being the only Company in Sri Lanka that offers a range of farming related equipment under one roof.

Japan's Honda to cut exports on high yen

Honda Motor intends to slash its exports from Japan by about half over the next decade as it looks to cope with a high yen, its president said.

He added the Japanese automaker would focus on smaller vehicles at home in order to boost domestic sales in the near term.

"Battered by such appreciation of the yen, the company sees clearly that Japan can no longer be the world centre of its production and exports," Honda president Takanobu Ito told the leading Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

"Honda currently exports 30-40 percent of its domestic production, but it is hard to sell overseas while fretting over currency movements," he said.

"The company will continue exporting, but up to 10-20 percent of domestic output."

The safe haven yen has soared on eurozone debt worries and a slowdown in the US economy, as investors move into the unit to escape global market turmoil, which also attracts speculative funds. AFP

Bus Owners' Association honoured LAL

Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association honoured CEO - Lanka Ashok Leyland Umesh Gautam, for his dedication, commitment and leadership provided for the improvement of private bus services in Sri Lanka during last 25 years. President Gemuni Wijerathne, and members of Private Bus Owners' Association highlighted and thanked Gautam for the untiring supports which have extended by him to the private bus operators in Sri Lanka which made Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association a strong organisation which is operating 16,000 Ashok Leyland buses in the island and sharing the government's burden by providing an efficient, economical and reliable passenger transport service to the Sri Lankan commuters all over the island.

Ford, UAW agree new labour deal

Ford Motor Company reached a tentative four-year deal with the United Auto Workers union that could mean the creation of 5,750 new jobs, Ford announced Tuesday.

The new contract, which covers 41,000 workers at Ford, the country's number two auto maker, has to be approved by the UAW members.

But together with 7,000 new jobs announced at the beginning of the year, it would mean more than 12,000 new positions in the group over the life of the contract - some of them involving the return to the United States of work now done in Mexico, China and Japan.

"We are pleased that, by working together with the UAW, we reached a deal that is fair to our employees and that improves Ford's competitiveness in the US," said John Fleming, Ford's executive vice president for global manufacturing and labor affairs.

"This agreement allows us to make even more progress on our One Ford plan and our focus on the great products, stronger business and better world that will deliver continued profitable growth for all."

The agreement includes $16 billion in US investments - including $6.2 billion for Ford plants in the United States - all to design, engineer and produce more new and upgraded vehicles and components by 2015.

Fleming said some of the specifics of the new deal were being withheld pending ratification by workers.

But UAW president Bob King has said he expects it to follow the pattern set in the UAW's new contract with General Motors, announced last Wednesday.

That deal included pay increases totaling $3 per hour for second tier workers and a lump sum signing bonus of $5,000. The signing bonus is expected to increase at Ford. The settlement came after a week of intensive discussions and averted a potential strike at Ford, which avoided bankruptcy during the 2008-2009 crisis in the industry. In contrast to the union's relations with General Motors and Chrysler, it hasn't staged a strike at Ford since 1976. Compensation for Ford's executives could become a rallying cry for union dissidents hoping to derail the new agreement. AFP