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Friday Apr 26, 2024
Friday, 23 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
2017 has been a remarkable year in the history of the Ideal Group and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. in Sri Lanka, with a plethora of new offerings and ventures having taken place.
Hard on the heels of their mega entry into three new business segments in Sri Lanka in Feb’ 2017, ‘Ideal Vision Auto & Lifestyle Show 2017, driven by Mahindra & Mahindra’ will be a unique event that will showcase Mahindra’s full global range from 2 wheelers to trucks and buses, and other businesses of the Ideal Group in an extravagant show spread across two days, 15 and 16 July. This experience created exclusively for the Sri Lankan market builds on the tough and rugged DNA of Mahindra, while food and clothing stalls, a kiddies play area, as well as other entertainment is on the cards.
Speaking on the occasion, Ideal Group Founder and Executive Chairman Nalin Welgama said, “Throughout the year there are several motor shows. However, for the first time in Sri Lanka, we will be showcasing the entire range of vehicles marketed solely by Ideal; a step taken by no other automotive major. We are also proud to be the first auto major in Sri Lanka to introduce a franchised electric vehicle from the house of Mahindra & Mahindra, a global conglomerate which manufactures the widest spectrum of automobiles ranging from the 2 wheelers, 3 wheelers, light trucks, heavy trucks and buses, UVs, construction equipment, SUVs and cars.” Welgama went on to say that an impressive line-up of electric vehicles from Mahindra will also be introduced in the next few months in keeping with current world trends!
Sanjay Jadhav, Vice President, Head of International Operations - AFS (South Asia), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Sri Lanka has been one of the top 3 export destinations for Mahindra for the past three years. Mahindra vehicles have carved a distinct niche for itself in Sri Lanka with its unique combination of rugged utility and style. Our partner, Ideal Motors is one of Sri Lanka’s most established automobile companies and their sound knowledge of the local market coupled with professional expertise have ensured our success. Our top management and myself are very excited about this unique event that will enable us to connect further with our customers and forge an even better Customer Experience and several of our senior officials from Mahindra & Mahindra will be attending the event.”
Deputy Chairman of the Ideal Group, cricketing legend Aravinda de Silva said, “We are proud to introduce a whole new dimension to the auto aftermarket care segment through the creation of the country’s first fully fledged multi brand state of the art workshop in our Ratmalana facility. This premier facility boasts of a modern body shop and a mechanical workshop second to none. We have engaged the best trained Sri Lankan technicians with years of experience and expertise from premium automobile companies in the Middle East. They have been fully trained in the use of state of the art diagnostic equipment for all premium brands and are capable of providing a superior service to our customers.” Elaborating further de Silva went on to say that in the past he had to ship his own Ferrari to Singapore and back for repairs; “however now we are able to carry out all such superior services at our Ideal Choice Premium Workshop and my car is now in fine fettle!”
Ideal Motors Director Automotive Division Chaminda Wanigarathna went on to say that, “The Ideal Technical Training Centre at Ratmalana has now received the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) status from the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) of Sri Lanka. This initiative will receive technical support from Mahindra & Mahindra India and will serve to empower our youth with essential technical skills in the field of automobile engineering.”
He further added, “The raising of the Loan to Value Ratio (LTV) from 50% to 70% for the light truck segment will help the growing SME segment in the country. The country faced a huge challenge with the recent floods in many districts, some of which are our main markets. We together with our partner Mahindra are fully committed to help rebuild some of the schools in these districts which were damaged by the floods. We are creating a fund which will be credited with Rs. 10,000 per vehicle sold from June to September 2017, as a special CSR project.”
Ideal Motors, a fully owned subsidiary of the Ideal Group with core interests in the import of Automobiles, Automotive parts, Finance, Renewable Energy, Tyres, state of the art Auto Workshops and Auto Technical Training Centres, will stage ‘Ideal Vision Auto & Lifestyle Show 2017, driven by Mahindra & Mahindra’ on 15 and 16 July at the Nelum Pokuna.
The Ideal Group is an innovative company which specialises in introducing ‘game changing technology’ to the Sri Lankan automotive market and is in the forefront of this industry today.
Associated with the Ideal Group in this venture are Platinum sponsors Fairfirst Insurance and Apollo Tyres, together with a host of other sponsors including Seylan Bank, Nawaloka Hospitals, Abans, Kandos, Valvoline, Stafford Trading, Causeway Paints and Sinwa, all of whom were present at the media briefing.
The event will commence at 7:30 a.m. on 15 July with the Ideal Abhiyogaya Mahindra Bolero Rally which is being organised together with the Ceylon Motor Sports Club. The Rally will leave Nelum Pokuna and traverse the streets of Colombo for approximately three hours, giving spectators a foretaste of what awaits them on visiting ‘Ideal Vision driven by Mahindra’.
Subsequent to the ceremonial opening and launch of key vehicles from 2 wheelers to Pick Ups, Double Cabs, Electric Vehicles and Buses from Mahindra, followed by the launch of a new range of Apollo Tyres , the show will be opened to the public with entrance being free of charge. Audiences can look forward to a spectacular evening complete with a Motorbike Stunt Show and a gala musical show where once again entrance will be free of charge on 15 July.
16 July will see the exhibition continuing, while the evening will see yet another musical show featuring the popular band Wayo together with Bathiya and Santhush, however this show will have tickets being sold, with part of the proceeds being channelled towards the Ideal Groups CSR projects.
“This event is not a mere business or motor event, but will serve to fund the second stage of the Ideal Group’s CSR program ‘Ideal Diviyata Saviyak’ which is a water purification scheme in rural Anuradhapura. Part of the proceeds generated from ticket sales will be devoted to our CSR endeavour which is something the Ideal Group is very passionate about. ‘Ideal Vision, driven by Mahindra’ is a must visit event for people from all walks of life; families, entrepreneurs both big and small, corporates as well as motor enthusiasts,” said Welgama.
