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DIMO expands range of Mahindra tractors introduced to Sri Lanka

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) has taken steps to expand the range of world class Tractors offered by Mahindra Tractors to Sri Lanka. Mahindra, the world’s largest tractor company by volumes has been committed to serve the Sri Lankan farmers for more than 15 years now, by providing its high value offering tractors and other mechanization solutions.

Mahindra Tractors are Heavy duty tractors that offer very high levels performance. They are extensively used for all type of farming jobs like puddling, cultivating, ploughing, harrowing, threshing and also in Hauling and have been enjoying success in Paddy and Tea plantations. DIMO recently launched tractors powered with the next generation MKM (Mileage Ka master) engine technology in Sri Lanka. These highly fuel efficient tractors offer maximum PTO HP making them ideal with Rotavators.

Sri Lanka’s widest tractor range - which is from DIMO, now boasts of 5 models. It starts with a 3-cylinder 39hp tractor for general purpose use. Then Mahindra offers two models of 4-cylinder 45hp tractors which are more suited for agricultural use with modern implements. The range also offers a 49hp Turbo-Charged model for more rugged use and instances where performance matters. The top of the range model is the 60hp 4WD tractor which is a versatile go anywhere machine for the most rugged terrain and tasks you can encounter.

The 60hp 4WD tractors deliver high level of productivity and come with a high performance engine, heavy duty synchromesh transmission designed to match the impressive power and torque characteristics of the engine and robustly built housing. These tractors are ideal for primary and secondary tillage, livestock operations, crop protection, moving, slashing, haulage, loader applications and other basic chores on the farm. These tractors feature suspended brake and clutch pedals and the uncluttered platform makes for easy entry and exit.

DIMO offers genuine spares for all these models from Mahindra Tractors India and is available with their dealers island wide. In addition, service locations are well spread island wide to look after these tractors whilst they work 24/7 on the field and on the road. DIMO offers doorstep customer service which is on call for its Mahindra customers island wide, and has grown to be a firm favorite amongst the farming community.

In addition, the best performers were recognized and appreciated at a grand awards ceremony at Nuwara-Eliya towards end of 2012 for their performance during 2011/12.The event was a grand success with the participation of more than 150 dealers. Mahindra began manufacturing tractors in the early 1960s for the Indian market.

Nearly 50 years later, they are the world’s largest tractor company by volumes, with annual sales above 214,000 tractors annually. With a presence in more than 40 countries and a network of over 1000 dealers, Mahindra has sold well over 1.75 million tractors worldwide. India is the world’s largest tractor market and Mahindra celebrated their 28th consecutive year of leadership with approximately 42% market share.

Pakistan car dealers expect election sales boost

Pakistan’s motor dealers are expecting a huge surge in sales this month as political parties equip themselves for the upcoming election campaign.

The dissolution of parliament will mark the start of campaign season and S.M. Shahzad, chairman of the All-Pakistan Motor Dealers Association told AFP his members were looking forward to a boom in business.

“We expect a 100 percent increase in car sales during the election campaign,” Shahzad said.

Rental vehicles are expensive so candidates and their supporters are likely to buy new or second-hand cars to travel around the country canvassing for votes, he said.

But Shahzad warned that recent moves to relax rules on buying and importing cars could have damaging consequences and may see vehicles used as bargaining chips during the election campaign.

The government has done away with the need to submit national tax certificate numbers for purchasing new cars, and Shahzad has written to the chief election commissioner to warn this would make it easier to buy influence at the polls.

“Influential non-tax payers can buy any number of cars to give as bribes to voters, workers and in horse-trading, without coming into the limelight,” he said.

Shahzad added that a government amnesty for smuggled vehicles, which will see thousands legalised in the coming weeks, will penalise importers who played by the rules.

“We pay millions of rupees of import duties and taxes to the government, but the amnesty on smuggled vehicles will discourage legal imports and impact government revenue,” he said.

AFP

Michigan governor taps bankruptcy expert to run Detroit

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder tapped a restructuring expert who helped successfully steer Chrysler through a government-backed bankruptcy to lead a state takeover of Detroit.

The move by a white, Republican governor to take control of a predominantly black and Democratic city has drawn intense criticism and charges of racism. The choice of Kevyn Orr, an African American and Democrat who grew up in Michigan, should help stem some of that criticism.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, who has been widely praised for cleaning up after a succession of corrupt predecessors, joined Snyder and Orr for the announcement and said it was well past time to address the Motor City’s troubled finances. “We will do everything we can to be good team mates,” Bing told reporters. “This city deserves that.

AFP