Motor

DIMO launches 'My Mercedes -Benz My Service'

As part of its continued commitment to customer satisfaction, the authorised distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, DIMO is launching "My Service", the latest after-sales brand appearance from Daimler AG under "My Mercedes-Benz. My Service" theme further strengthening their core competence, 'After Sales in Sri Lanka.'

Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new "My Service" brand appearance at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt recently.

This new approach enables customers to experience at first hand, the After-Sales brand values of Individuality and Appreciation, further strengthening the delightful customer care - a key part of the Mercedes-Benz brand as a whole. "As the Mercedes-Benz representative in Sri Lanka for the last seven decades, we work continually to improve our service levels, and want to offer our customers the kind of service that more often surpasses their individual needs," says Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman of DIMO.

The new programme name, itself highlights the connection between individual requirements and the appropriate Mercedes-Benz-service offering.

"When it comes to Mercedes-Benz, service quality and customer satisfaction are a top priority, and everything else comes second," says Tharanga Gunawardena, General Manager Mercedes-Benz Passenger Vehicles Service. "That's why we want to raise the bar in service performance. We have been and strive to be the trailblazer, providing unmatched after sales services in the country".

According to Tharanga Gunawardena, under "My Service" after sales theme, their dedicated service team will make further efforts to advise personally and offer individualised solutions to customers even long after the vehicles are purchased, and treat in a manner that always fits customer needs.

He further stated that "No one else knows about Mercedes-Benz than DIMO. No matter the case, we will give the right service for each car supporting longstanding owners driving Mercedes-Benz for many generations."

Numerous awards confirm the high service quality at Mercedes-Benz world over. For example, Mercedes-Benz finished first in service satisfaction ahead of all other premium manufacturers in Germany in the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSSSM). The brand achieved the same result in 2009 and 2010 with its outstanding service portfolio.

The VOSSSM survey also placed Mercedes-Benz among the top three premium automakers in nine of the 12 countries examined. In addition, Mercedes-Benz finished first in the "Automobilwoche Award Autohandel" (AAA) dealership satisfaction survey for best sales-partner service quality, marking the fifth consecutive year the brand has taken top honours in this category.

As the authorised distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka, DIMO operates a state-of-the-art passenger car workshop equipped with the most modern tools and machines to carry out all automobile repairs and services under one roof.

This undoubtedly is the most advanced service facility in Sri Lanka with factory trained, competent Technicians and Service Advisers ensuring that appropriate equipment and tools are used to service, diagnose and repair passenger cars in their workshops.

Suzuki Swift Sport leaves showroom

The very first purchase in Sri Lanka of the all new 2012 Suzuki Swift Sports, considered the performance flagship of the Suzuki Swift model range, was witnessed last week and the car was handed over to the new owner Nadeeja Weerarathne by the Suzuki team at the AMW showrooms located at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 08.

The Suzuki Swift Sport is the performance flagship of the Swift model range and offers higher levels of tuning, steering and braking performance than the standard Swift on which it's based.

The sporting experience and everyday practicality have earned many devoted fans in approximately 40 countries and territories around the world.

The new Swift Sport reflects the concept of developing a refined sport compact from the new Swift that Suzuki launched in the UK in Autumn 2010.

Befitting its status as the new performance flagship of the Swift model range, it reflects the pursuit of even better handling, driving performance, environmental compatibility and an uncompromising focus on quality. Overall, it offers a rewarding experience of Suzuki's sporting DNA.

Suzuki launched the new Swift Sport in a growing number of countries with sales launch in the UK from early 2012 and in Sri Lanka from July.

The New Touareg Volkswagen SUV

The New Touareg Volkswagen SUV is one of the safest automobiles of all times. Touareg V6 TDI sets best fuel economy value among large SUVs with 7.4 l/100. World's first car with camera-based continuous main beam "Dynamic Light Assist."

It is a luxury sport utility vehicle that offers a high level of comfort, sporty driving properties, avant-garde styling, excellent quality and unlimited expedition capabilities - essentially the best of the passenger car and off-road worlds unified in one concept.

This legacy is now being continued in the new Touareg - a high-end and versatile all-round vehicle that brings these two worlds together even more perfectly.

Up to 25 percent more fuel efficient engines

The second generation Touareg reinterprets the fascinating idea of a multipurpose SUV in a contemporary way - thanks to a range of engines that are up to 25 percent more fuel efficient and a large variety of new assistance and safety systems.

Optimised V6 FSI consumes 2.5 litres less petrol per 100 kilometres

Consider the V6 FSI, a direct-injection petrol engine with 206 kW / 280 PS: At 9.9 l/100 km, the 3.6-litre engine with 360 Newton-metres torque

Optimised V6 TDI breaks the 7.5-litre barrier

Consider the V6 TDI, the most fuel-efficient Touareg engine: With regard to power, an advanced development of the successful V6 TDI with 180 kW / 245bhp/ 550nm Torque

World's first SUV with 8-speed automatic

All Touareg versions are now shifted by a standard 8-speed automatic transmission - the first of its kind in the world in the SUV segment. The 7th and 8th gears are laid out as fuel-efficient overdrive gears. The 8th gear reduces engine speed by 34 percent compared to 6th gear. That saves on fuel and reduces emissions.

Lighter in weight and more aerodynamic

As has already been accomplished on the globally successful, smaller SUV, the Tiguan, Volkswagen is systematically striving for sustainability on the large Touareg too. The first precondition for sustainability has been met in the Touareg's significantly more fuel-efficient engines. The second precondition has been met as well: The weight of the base model Touareg has been reduced by 208 kilograms. A quantum leap. Yet, the body has five percent greater torsional rigidity, which makes it the leader in its competitive class. The third precondition has also been achieved: Designers attained a significantly improved Cd value. It was reduced from 0.38 to 0.35. Along with aerodynamic refinement measures, another factor at work here is that this Touareg sits lower to the ground than the previous model. This, together with a front end in the style of the new Volkswagen Design DNA, results in a smaller frontal area.

All-wheel drive in two versions

Another element that has been modified in the quest for reduced fuel consumption is the Touareg's standard all-wheel drive. In the base version (4MOTION), all new generation Touaregs have all-wheel drive with Torsen limited-slip differential (4MOTION; 31 degree climbing gradient). Like the Tiguan Track & Field, the Touareg also has an "Off-road driving programme", which - via a two-position rotary switch - tunes the ABS, EDS and ASR for off-road duty, activates Hill Descent Assist and adjusts shift points of the automatic gearbox.

As an option, the V6 TDI can be ordered with an optional "Terrain Tech Packet" instead of a Torsen differential; it has an even more rugged transfer case designed for off-road driving. It includes reduction gearing and centre and rear differentials, each with up to 100 percent locking (4XMOTION; 45 degree climbing gradient). Similar to the system on the first Touareg generation, this "4XMotion" also has a five-position rotary switch which allows the driver to adapt the car to specific conditions over five levels.

More space for everyone

Volkswagen has not only made the new Touareg a lighter, more fuel efficient and agile performer; it has become an even more versatile, all-round vehicle.

The new interior was made more functional, the seats more comfortable and legroom in the rear is increased thanks to a 41 millimetre extension of the wheelbase to 2,893 millimetres. Now the rear bench seat has 160 millimetres in longitudinal adjustment, and the backrest angle can be altered.

India's Tata Motors appoints managing director

India's top vehicle maker Tata Motors on Tuesday appointed General Motors' former India head, Karl Slym, as managing director, as the company battles falling domestic sales.

Slym, a car industry veteran, will head the India operations and the markets of South Korea, Thailand, Spain, Indonesia and South Africa.

Slym succeeds Prakash Telang who retired in June as the head of Tata Motors, part of the giant Mumbai-based steel-to-tea Tata conglomerate. Tata's British luxury brands Jaguar and Land Rover will continue to be managed independently.

Slym is likely to join Tata Motors on October 1, the company said.

Tata Motors, which also makes utility vehicles and the low-cost Nano car, last Thursday posted a 12.2 percent rise to 22.44 billion rupees ($406 million) in quarterly profit, helped by strong sales of Jaguar and Land Rover.

But Tata Motors' car sales in India slid 9.9 percent from a year earlier to 62,619 units and its profit from standalone local operations nearly halved to 2.05 billion rupees in the June-ended quarter.

Tata has warned that slower Indian industrial growth and a weak economic outlook would impact overall demand in months ahead. AFP

Japan's Isuzu plans China, India truck plants

Japan's Isuzu Motors will spend 30 billion yen ($382 million) to build new factories in China and India to tap rising demand for pickup trucks in the fast-growing markets, a report said.

The new plants will together produce about 200,000 trucks a year, boosting Isuzu's annual pickup capacity by about 50 percent to 600,000 by 2015, the Nikkei business daily reported without citing sources.

In China, Isuzu will build a factory in the southeastern city of Nanchang with local automaker Jiangling Motors Group, the Nikkei report said.

The new facility will be able to produce 100,000 vehicles annually, it said. AFP