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McShaw Automotive opens showroom in Colombo

McShaw Automotive Ltd., a joint venture between two leading corporates Mclarens Holdings Ltd and Shaw Wallace Ceylon Ltd opened its first dedicated showroom recently, under the distinguished patronage of Dominic Seto Managing Director, Delphi Product and Service Solutions (DPSS) Asia Pacific and Vice President, Delphi China.

Present at the opening were representatives of Delphi, Faisal Matin Country Director, Indian Subcontinent and Bimal R Satyan, Business Development Manager, SAARC Countries

Situated on the ground floor of ‘Renuka Building’ at Dr. Danister de Silva Mawatha the new showroom also houses McShaw’s corporate office, thereby enabling a smooth flow of operations in all aspects. “Despite the slowdown in the automotive sector, the aftermarket segment is indeed poised for further growth said Dominic Seto at the opening. “There will always be sufficient demand for aftermarket auto components and Delphi is hoping to tap into this segment with a wide range of products on offer.

I am confident that our partnership with McShaw Automotive Ltd and our combined synergies will enhance the greatness this sector promises”, he further added.

Delphi is a leading global supplier of electronics and technologies for automotive, commercial vehicle and other market segments. Operating major technical centres, manufacturing sites and customer support facilities in 30 countries, Delphi delivers real-world innovations that make products smarter and safer as well as more powerful and efficient

McShaw Automotive Ltd’s product portfolio boasts of some of the trusted brands sought after by motorists and recommended by leading auto shops and mechanics.

Among the brands are Mobil lubricants, Delphi Lockheed brake oil and leading tyre brands such as Avon, Ornet, Dunlop, Grip and Pioneer plus a host of other automotive-related products.

McShaw Automotive Ltd has a team of over 100 personnel in the automotive sector and covers the segments of key accounts, nominated dealers, direct dealers, franchise car dealers, service stations, fuel stations, retailers, spare part shops, individual workshops and franchise workshops.

DIMO expands toTrincomalee

Trincomalee is the administrative capital of the Eastern Province. Trincomalee's strategic importance both commercially and military wise has shaped the history of Sri Lanka.

The European powers contested for the harbour, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the English, each held it in turn. Geographically the Trincomalee harbour is the fifth largest natural harbour in the world.

With the Government of Sri Lanka focusing on the East for rapid development and especially on Trincomalee for its commercially strategic location due to its port, DIMO decided to move into Trincomalee.

DIMO recently opened their latest branch in Trincomalee. The new spacious branch is capable of handling sales and services for passenger and commercial vehicles. The Trincomalee branch is situated along the Nilaveli Road.

The new branch was opened by Gahanath Pandithage (CEO-DIMO) with the presence of Channa Weerawardena (Director-DIMO), Vijitha Bandara(GM-TATA Commercial Vehicles), Arup Baruah (Country Manager-TATA Motors) and Hemal Ratnayake (Manager-Anuradhapura Branch).

The DIMO Trincomalee branch is equipped to carry out sales and service of TATA commercial vehicles, TATA passenger cars and the sales and distribution of TATA genuine parts. The service facility boasts of 10 workshop bays, two washing bays and four hoists for commercial and passenger vehicles.

In addition to the above the branch consists of a modern customer waiting area, latest equipment and tools to repair and diagnose vehicles, a canteen, workmen changing and rest room and a water treatment and purification plant.

Apart from TATA commercial and passenger vehicles, the branch also markets Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and trucks, Mahindra tractors, Claas harvesters, Osram lighting, Bosch power tools, Bosch Automotive products, Siemens Delta vega switches, Komatsu heavy machinery, MRF tyres, Kumho tyres and TATA genuine spares for all models.

Apart from Trincomalee, DIMO branches can be found in Akkaraipattu, Ambalangoda, Ambalanthota, Ampara, Anuradhapura, Balagolla, Colombo, Dambulla, Embilipitiya, Hatton, Horana, Jaffna, Kandy, Kurunegala, Mannar, Matara, Moneragala, Nikawaratiya, Padaviya, Piliyandala, Puttlam, Rathnapura, Vavuniya, Welimada and Yakkala.

CEAT announces launch of radial tyre range ‘Milaze’

CEAT Kelani Holdings has announced the launch of two more sizes of radial tyres under its new ‘Milaze’ range for cars, widening choice for users of Sri Lanka’s best-selling radial tyre brand.

The two new sizes, 185/70 R 13 and 165/70 R 14, fit popular cars such as the Nissan FB – 14, Honda City (2001), Corolla AE 90 and similar models, Mitsubishi Lancer CK 2, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Vitz, Nissan March (Beetle) and Toyota Belta, the company said.

The addition of these CEAT Milaze radials to the company’s radial tyre portfolio increases the number of sizes offered by the brand in the car tyre segment to ten.

“The Milaze range has been an instant hit in the market, encouraging us to offer a wider choice of sizes to match the cars on the roads in Sri Lanka,” said Ravi Dadlani, Vice President Sales & Marketing at CEAT Kelani Holdings. “More sizes are on the way to ensure we have a complete portfolio of superior quality radials in the market.”

Raman Rajagopalan, Vice President Commercial and Business Development at CEAT Kelani said: “The CEAT Milaze tyre has been developed to international design, construction and standards. This will facilitate penetrating the export markets in 14 countries, helping to augment the company’s export earnings.”

The CEAT Milaze range of radials launched earlier this year, represents improved performance features including a stylish tread pattern and improved compounds that offer greater riding comfort and longer tyre life. CEAT’s radial tyre segment grew 50 per cent over the last three years, maintaining the brand’s position as the number one car tyre in Sri Lanka. CEAT Kelani Holdings also produces a range of radial tyres in popular sizes for vans.

A National Business Excellence Award winner in 2010 and 2011, CEAT, Kelani Associated Holdings is an Indo-Sri Lanka joint venture between the RPG Group of India and Kelani Tyre, Sri Lanka. The company operates three manufacturing units manufacturing truck, light truck, radial, motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural tyres and employs a workforce of 900 people.

Besides its dominance in the radial tyre segment, CEAT’s market shares in the Truck and Light Truck, Three-wheeler and motorcycle tyre segments stand at 58 per cent, 40 per cent and 15 per cent respectively, making it the single highest selling brand in Sri Lanka in these categories.