JLR sole agent SML Frontier to invest US$ 5mn in 3S facility
SML Frontier Automotive, the sole agent for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in Sri Lanka will invest US $ 5 million on a state-of-the-art, globally-compliant 3S (sales, service and spare parts) facility to capitalize on the future growth trajectory offered by the island nation.
“This is not an investment we are making by looking at the next five years; this is an investment we are making looking at the next 50 years. We have the full and unconditional support from our principals for this,” SML Frontier Automotive Chairman Sumal Perera said.
The new facility, which is scheduled to be opened by mix next year, will be located in Boralesgamuwa.
According to Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific Managing Director Robin Colgan, Sri Lanka remains an “important and strategic” market and Jaguar Land Rover is in a “strong position to benefit from this market.”
SML Frontier Automotive CEO Ravi Perera said that for FY 17/18 the company saw a sales growth of 57 percent (70 percent Land Rover and 30 percent Jaguar) vis-à-vis 40 percent growth in FY 16/17.
Meanwhile, Colgan said Jaguar Ipace, the first ever electric vehicle from Jaguar, will make its much anticipated debut in Sri Lanka before the second quarter of 2019.
The Sri Lankan government has pledged to replace all state-owned vehicles with electric or hybrid models by 2025, a move that will be extended to privates vehicles by 2040, in alignment with what most countries across the world are doing to adopt cleaner energy use.
A press statement by SML Frontier said the company is gearing up for this development in the automotive industry with the new electrified model line, aiming to give its customers even more choices.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth has announced that all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles launched from 2020 will be electrified. Jaguar Land Rover, as the Britain’s biggest carmaker is facing a bit of headwinds at the home front, with complications arising from the looming Brexit and slumping sales of diesel-powered cars.
However, Colgan said last year Jaguar Land Rover Sales in the Asia Pacific region rose by 110 percent.
Meanwhile, celebrating 70 years of Land Rover, a new plug-in hybrid electric Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will be launched by SML Frontier Automotive this November.
SML Frontier Automotive said it has already received over 100 confirmed orders to date for these vehicles.
In the past year, SML Frontier Automotive increased its customer base significantly, unveiled its ‘Approved’ pre-owned arm, expanded its suite of customer offers and increased its training for employees to align with the new generation Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles coming into the Sri Lankan market.
The momentum is expected to be further strengthened with the all-inclusive retail centre in Boralesgamuwa which will showcase the newest line-up of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, along with an integrated service workshop with a dedicated electric and aluminium body shop.
All SML Frontier Automotive customers will continue to receive a 5-year warranty, 5-year service, membership to the country’s most elite club—the Jaguar & Land Rover Owners’ Club—24-hour roadside assistance, a tailor-made ‘Approved’ pre-owned trade-in programme, along with dedicated team to service all their requirements.