Micro Cars begins assembly ofKorean SsangYong Tivoli
Sri Lanka auto assembler, Micro Cars Ltd has begun the local assembly of the Korean crossover SUV SsangYong Tivoli, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of its parent company - Micro Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.
SsangYong Motor Company, Korea further strengthening the bond between the two entities has given assembly rights of its latest addition, the all new SsangYong TIVOLI for Micro cars, Dr. Lawrence Perera, chairman of the company told Business Times.
“We will strive to assemble high quality Korean crossover SUVs and look forward to market in the country in a big way”, he added.
Micro Cars Ltd. currently assembles the Actyon, Rexton and Rodius, and the SsangYong TIVOLI is also likely to enter the country as a CKD kit. The assembly plant has an annual production capacity of 14,600 units, he disclosed.
The new SsangYong TIVOLI is yet another entrant into the compact SUV segment, but marks an important milestone for the Korean manufacturer. The TIVOLI is tailored to what modern customers are asking for - so it puts fashion above four-by-four ability, he emphasised.
The Korean company has appointed Micro Cars as the authorised Assembler and gave Micro Cars the rights of Sales and After Sales Services for its full range in 2006
It has resulted in the first ever SUV being assembled in the Micro Cars assembly plant in Polgahawela.
Today SsangYong is a trusted and preferred automobile brand in the country for its range of SUVs and MPV, he said. adding that ICRO tied up with Geely a Fortune 500 Co, the owner of Volvo Cars Sweden four and half years ago.
With Geely SKD rights Micro entered the compact and mid- sized Sedan car segment, and today are competing with other leading global brands, he pointed out.
MICRO Cars was established by veteran automobile Engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perera in 1995 being the franchisee for Renault Trucks of France.
The objective was to engineer and build Sri Lanka's first truly home-grown automobile and the result was the launch of ' Privilege' which was completely designed developed and manufactured in Sri Lanka.
The first national automobile was thus launched in 2002 winning a PATENT for its unique design, he added.