Mahindra Ideal Motors celebrates gala ‘Excellence Awards’ honouring outstanding performance and innovation

The Mahindra Ideal Motors Excellence Awards ceremony, a grand celebration to recognise dealers and other stakeholders of Ideal Motors, was held at the Wave n’ Lake Banquet Hall and Restaurant in Welisara recently. 

The event was graced by the presence of special guests including Founder and Chairman Nalin Welgama, Group Managing Director/CEO Dilani Yatawaka, Director - Legal and Corporate Affairs Nimisha Welgama, Mahindra and Mahindra India Automotive Division Head - International Operations Sachin Arolka, Automotive Division Head - International Operations and Customer Service Senthil Selvaraju, Country Head Sujeeth Jayant, and Head - Domestic Services Shitam Kundu. 

Also, in attendance from Ideal Motors were Commercial Vehicle Sales Division General Manager Kasun Fernando, Deputy General Manager - Spare Parts, Logistics and Inventory Sameera Bamunuarachchi and Deputy General Manager - After Sales Service Prasanna Manamperi.

The Excellence Awards ceremony honoured the top sales dealers at the provincial and national levels. Recipients were presented with awards, certificates of merit, and cash prizes in recognition of their achievements. The three best national‑level sales dealers from the various categories were further rewarded with an opportunity to visit Bangkok, Thailand. In addition, special recognition was extended to banks and financial institutions that partner with Ideal Motors.

Chairman Nalin Welgama said: “When we began our journey with Mahindra in 2009, the previous company had sold 300 vehicles in the country, of which nearly 150 had various defects. At that time our journey began by engaging with the parent company in India and repairing those vehicles free of charge. That commitment has brought us to where we are today. As we believe, our journey truly begins after the sale. We are dedicated to strengthening our customers, and in doing so, strengthening ourselves. That is how we transformed the after‑sales service experience.”

He added, “Our main strength is the Mahindra Bolero, which has sold more than 10,000 units in just two years. In a very short period, we grew from zero to over 100,000 vehicles sold. This is not my victory, but the victory of all of you who contributed to it. Despite the challenges of the Covid‑19 pandemic and the economic crisis we faced, this awards ceremony was organised to express our gratitude to all of you who trusted our institution and stood by us. Let us continue our victorious journey together.”

Group Managing Director Dilani Yatawaka  said: “Today is a very happy day for us. This is the first time in the history of the organisation that representatives of our vehicles, spare parts, services, and financial institutions are meeting together under one roof. Over the past five years, we have successfully overcome challenges ranging from the Easter attacks to the Covid‑19 pandemic and the economic crisis. We are most grateful to all our dealers and financing partners.”

Speaking on the occasion,  Mahindra and Mahindra India Automotive Division Head - International Operations Sachin Arolka stated that Ideal Motors in Sri Lanka is one of the largest sellers of Mahindra vehicles in Asia. He added, “I consider it a great privilege in my life to participate in such a prestigious awards ceremony and witness the remarkable effort put in by all stakeholders to establish the Mahindra brand in Sri Lanka.”

Over 300 dealers and finance partners participated in the event which concluded with dinner, fellowship and entertainment.