motor

GEOWASH offers innovative washing systems for vehicles

Shirajiv Sirimane in Kandy

Founder Chairman W.D.R Samarakoon

Directors of the Group W.D.R. Samarakoon and Damitha Bandara A GEOWASH in progress

For the first time Mobile Car Wash Services is being introduced by W.D.R. Samarakoon Group of Companies, a leading business conglomerate in Kandy.

A GEOWASH in progress

GEOWASH is a USA based company specialising in Ecological market with an expertise of 10 years. They are currently based in over 30 countries around the world.

“GEOWASH offers an innovative washing system for vehicles while the owner is shopping, jogging or working with its ‘mobile service provided’ at many car parks. The service is available at all Arpico Super Market car parks and in Kandy,” said Director of Mobile Car Wash Services W.D.R. Samarakoon .

Speaking to Daily News Business he said that with GEOWASH the customers gets the options to get his automobile washed, vacuumed and waxed at the place convenient to the driver. Each unit is operated by just one person and the average service time is 25 minutes inclusive of washing, vacuuming and waxing. “What is unique in this concept is that GEOWASH goes to the door step of the customer and provides at an unbelievable ‘low price’ and very quickly.” The team also uses special chemical imported form USA giving the automobile a new look and a guarantee of quality with the solutions used to wash a vehicle being biodegradable.

GEOWASH while being eco friendly also minimises the use of water by nearly 90%. “GEOWASH only uses less than two litres of water in comparison to 175 to 200 litres of water used in usual car wash systems. “Thereby saving millions of litres of consumable water.”

GEOWASH works with an environmentally friendly product line. “The technology of the system is that it works with a compact mobile unit that allows you to have all the necessary elements which offers a premium quality handmade car washes and detailing (exterior and interior); accommodated in a small space.”

Director, Asela Bandara said that initially they launched this service in Kandy and due to numerous demands decided to extend it to Colombo though the Arpico super markets. “We will soon open in more locations,” he said.

Director, Asela Bandara said that one of the main reasons for the GEOWASH to gain popularity is the parent company’s unblemished track record. “W.D.R Samarakoon & Sons is placed among the top ten Sri Lankan conglomerates in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) as Importers, Traders (retail and wholesale) and island wide distributors of sugar and other FMCG products.”

W.D.R. Group owns the largest fleet of lorries in the transportation and logistics industry with over 125 heavy trucks. This operation is under W.D.R. Samarakoon Logistics (Pvt) Ltd. The state of the art vehicle tracking system and the reputation in timely deliveries have provided impetus to its rapid growth in the vehicle fleet and the overall business.

The Group is also in the business of service & maintenance of heavy vehicles through W.D.R. Samarakoon Engineering Pvt (Ltd). ‘Heavy vehicle tank capacity designing’ services are also carried out by our qualified engineers in addition to services provided to our Group’s internal requirement. Plans are underway to expand this business in other parts of the country and to service and maintain a wider variety of heavy vehicles. W.D.R. Group identified the importance of diversifying its operations into innovative and creative businesses. The introduction of “GEOWASH Mobile Car Wash Service” to Sri Lanka is of one such efforts.

DIMO introduces TATA PRIMA to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is moving away from conventional methods of goods transportation due to rapid developments in infrastructure, whilst companies and customers increasingly demand for faster and efficient transportation solutions. The government’s policy of focusing on expressways, new airports and sea ports enable part of those demands to be met. The demand becomes complete, only when a cost efficient and reliable solution is found to move larger haulage, in a faster manner. TATA PRIMA is the solution to that demand.

DIMO together with TATA Motors recently unveiled the all new TATA PRIMA to Sri Lanka. The PRIMA was launched at a glamorous event which was held at the NelumPokuna, MahindaRajapaksa Theatre, amidst a distinguished gathering of invitees, which included representatives from TATA Motor India, DIMO and key fleet owners. More than 350 invitees witnessed the grand launch of the TATA PRIMA, which was made colorful and memorable using 3D Projection Technology. 3D projection is a method of mapping three-dimensional points to a two-dimensional plane, creating stunning visuals for the audience.

The new PRIMA range offers tractor-trailers and tippers and combines some of the most advanced technologies used in commercial vehicle manufacturing from around the world. TATA PRIMA opens a new chapter, introduces a new breed of commercial vehicles from TATA Motors - an amalgamation of the best technologies in the world. Tata Motors has relied on know-how and technical expertise from across the world to develop the PRIMA range. It’s an amalgamation of Italian cab design, Engine technology from the USA and Europe, Gearbox expertise from Germany, Chassis frame know-how from Mexico, Sheet metal dies from Japan and Korea and it is combined with Swedish precision on a robotic weld line. And binding it all together are engineers of Tata-Daewoo Commercial Vehicles Company Limited, South Korea.

“PRIMA is the ideal solution for lowering the cost of transportation of large haulage over long distances. Cost per kilometer is the key parameter modern organizations use to evaluate their transportation alternatives. The brand new TATA PRIMA is priced competitively – it is in par with used European Trucks that are imported to Sri Lanka. It comes with a two year warranty, unlimited mileage, backed by renowned after sales care from DIMO. In addition, TATA is Sri Lanka’s number one commercial vehicle brand, and has proven to be reliable and compatible to local conditions and terrain, decade after decade. Availability of genuine parts, presence of island wide branches and service facilities, and 24 hours roadside assistance ensure that the PRIMA is always in safe hands and will encounter minimum down time.”

“PRIMA tractor-trailers are equipped with a powerful 267 HP Cummins ISBe engine. More power translates to better pickup and better running speeds on roads. Bigger and standard radial tyres ensure that tyre heating is never a reason for the driver to break his trip early. Drivers end up covering longer distances in a single stretch. The aerodynamic design also helps the vehicle stay stable at high speeds by reducing the air resistance. The use of robust and heavy aggregates (Cummins engine, ZF gearbox, hub reduction rear axles) in the driveline ensures that the lifetime of the major components is high and wear and tear is less,” an official from the company said.

Electronic sensors on the engine help in countering faulty driving practices. This reduces the wear and tear, thereby increasing the life of the aggregate.

“PRIMA is an intelligent truck which comes with a number of features designed to optimize fuel consumption and boost its efficiency. The engine speed at all times is controlled by sensors which detect the load on the engine to restrict the engine to the optimal performance band. User can decide the idling time interval after which the PRIMA shuts down and saves on fuel consumption.

World-class cabin for superior driver comfort assures safety for both driver and vehicle. We realize that the driver is the key partner in progress for the transporter. With improved roads and a vehicle capable of delivering more trips per month, it is crucial to create an environment where the driver will be able to drive more per day.”

The PRIMA range can be obtained from any DIMO branch island wide.

R.T. Wasan (Head of International Business - Commercial Vehicle Business unit), Rudrarup Maitra (Regional Head - SAARC & Far East), Gupta Avinsah (Head - Customer Support), Rajeev Jaiswal (Area Manager), Arup Baruah (Country Manager) and RajibGhosh (Regional Head – Customer Care) represented TATA Motors at the launch. RanjithPandithage (Chairman/MD), Ajit Algama (Director), Gladwin Peries (Director), Suresh Gooneratne (Director), Vijitha Bandara (GM – TATA), Mahesh Karunaratne (GM-TATA Commercial Service) and Mr. Dihan Eriyagama (GM-TATA Commercial Parts) were some of the senior management who represented DIMO at the launch.

Toyota Lanka holds annual Dealer Convention

Toyota Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. held its seventh Dealer Convention and awards ceremony recently at a gala event held at the Waters Edge. Over 100 members of Toyota Lanka’s dealer community came together for an evening of camaraderie which was jointly organized by the Service, Spare Parts and Lubricants divisions of the company. The Awards were aimed at highlighting the contributions of Toyota’s vast and dedicated dealer network.

At this year’s event, Kundasale Auto Service (Pvt) Ltd. together with Auto World Ltd., Kurunegala jointly took the top spot for the Spare Parts and Service Category (2s) with Samrasinghe Motor Stores, Matara being the runners up. SM Lanka Trading Company (Pvt) Ltd. were declared winners in the Spare Parts Category (1S) with the runner up spot going to Wimal Motors, Moratuwa.

Chief Guest of the evening, Mr. Yoshiaki Kato, Managing Director, Toyota Lanka said, “Toyota, to our customers, is synonymous with quality. Whether it’s our vehicles, spare parts, or service, we have always laid special emphasis on the quality of what is offered to our clients.

And our dealers have always been a critical element in helping us maintain these standards. Their trust and tireless efforts have helped us grow the Toyota brand from strength to strength over the years. These awards acknowledge their hard work. While congratulating the winners, I would like to thank all our dealers for joining us in celebrating the wonderful partnership that we share.”

Acknowledging the role of the dealer network, Manohara Atukorala, Chief Operating Officer - Toyota Lanka said, “Through tireless work, our dealers have helped us achieve greater success every year.

We take this opportunity to appreciate and reward their efforts. Encouraged by their enthusiasm, we are planning to scale this event up with separate conventions for our lubricant and tyre dealers as well.”

Also present at the event were special invitees S. Fujibayashi- General Manager - Parts Team Toyota Tsusho Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dave Hutchinson- GM - Service Team of Toyota Tsusho Africa (Pty) Ltd, Kosei Sekito from Toyota Tsusho Corporation Japan, Demetrious Perera – GM Human Resource and IT of Toyota Lanka, Matheesha Samaranayake GM services , Priyantha Perera GM, spare parts and lubricants along with a host of other dignitaries and invitees.

Toyota Lanka is a fully owned subsidiary of the Toyota Tsusho Corporation, which is a member of the world-renowned Toyota Group of Japan, and is the premier service integrator of the local auto industry. It represents world-class Toyota and Hino products as well as Toyota Genuine lubricants, Pirelli Tyres, etc. in Sri Lanka and is the first company in the local automobile business to integrate Sales, Spare parts and Service (3S) under one roof.