Micro Cars
 | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka |
| Key people |
Dr. Lawrence Perara,[1] Founder C.P.Guhashanka, Member of Board of directors Sabri Wahid, Member of Board of directors Roy De Silva, Member of Board of directors |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Website | www.microcars.lk |
Micro Cars is an automobile company based in Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka, founded in 1995. It was established by automobile engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perara. Micro Cars is a fully owned subsidiary of Micro Holdings.
History
Micro Cars was established by automobile engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perara. Micro's first introduction was "Micro Privilege" which had 1000cc gasoline engine with inline 4 cylinders. After that it produced Micro MPV Junior van and the Micro Trend hatchback, which were more advanced than the first introduction.
As Sri Lanka's first ever car, the "Micro" is designed, developed, and prototyped to be manufactured locally with at least 60% of local content. The prototype was prepared in 1999 with the running chassis making its debut run in December. The body was modeled in styling clay and then transferred to composite for final analysis in June 2000.
The first Micro was made in mid-2001. The Board of Investment provided state support for the car project. Its first car was legally registered only in 2003 after a lengthy battle with the motor car registration department of the country.[citation needed] Micro Cars export products to Nepal, Pakistan, India,[2] and Bangladesh.[1] Micro Cars, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Micro Holdings, is engaged in imports and assembly of the vehicle brands Geely, Ssangyong, Hafei and Great Wall Motors of China.[3]
Products
Micro Panda
The Panda is assembled in Sri Lanka by Micro Cars from complete knock down kits. It is a small city car sold with a choice of 1.0 L or 1.3L petrol engines. A 1.3 Cross version is also sold.
Micro MX7 Mark II
The MX7 Mark II is a rebadged version of the Geely King Kong, it is a traditional saloon car powered by a 1.5 L petrol engine producing 93 hp.[4]
Micro Geely EC7
The EC7 is a four-door saloon, powered by 1 1.8 L petrol engine producing 139PS.[5]
Micro Chairman W
The Chairman W is a large four-door saloon.
Micro Actyon
This is the SUV manufactured in Sri Lanka by Micro Car Company. It has a 2.0 Litre inter cooler Turbo Diesel Common Rail Direct Injection 3rd Generation VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) A200XVT Engine producing a maximum power of Power 141 hp @ 4,000 rpm and a maximum Torque 310Nm @ 1,800 rpm. It also comprises a 6 Speed Automatic with Tip-Tronic transmission or 5 Speed Manual transmission together with a Part-time 4WD system with shift on the fly to 2WD.
Micro Rexton II
This is the SUV made by Micro Car Co Ltd. in collaboration with Ssanyong Motors, South Korea. In essence, a copy of the SsangYong Rexton with some degree of local content such as the interior. It is powered by an ex-Mercedes Benz 2.7-liter Diesel Engine with tip-tronic transmission.
Micro Rodius
This is another SUV made by Micro Car Co Ltd. in collaboration with Ssanyong Motors. In essence, a copy of the SsangYong Rodius also with some degree of local content such as the interior. It is powered by an ex-Mercedes Benz 3.2 L 6-cylinder gasoline engine ( 162 kW (217 hp) & 309 N·m (228 lb·ft) ) and the 2.7 L 5-cylinder common rail diesel engine ( 121 kW (162 hp) & 342 N·m (252 lb·ft) ).
Micro Duo Deck bus
The Micro Duo Deck is a double-decker bus designed and manufactured by Micro Cars Ltd following a deal with Chinese suppliers in 2006. The bus features a low floor arrangement, ABS brakes, full air-conditioning and automatic doors. The bus has seating for 102 persons and 26 standing.[6] The engine and chassis are imported with Chinese parts and assembled in Sri Lanka.[7]
Discontinued models
- Micro Privilege
The Privilege was the first car produced by Micro. This car is powered by 1000cc Inline 4-cylinder EFI gasoline engine. Transmission system is 5-speed manual. It includes other common options which can be found in other normal cars, such as crystal head lamps, factory fitted air conditioner, 13” wheel rim, radio CD/cassette player, electric windows, and remote central locking.
- Micro Trend
The Micro Trend is a city car designed by Italy's Pininfarina and Hafei Motors. It was first introduced in January 2003 and sales began by April 2003. However, in 2010 they introduced a luxurious and glamorous looking "Micro Trend", with the first batch of New Trend cars hitting the road in early March 2011.
- Micro MX7 Mark II
The Micro MX7 is a traditional saloon car designed by Pininfarina and powered by a Mitsubishi 1.6 L petrol engine producing 100 hp.[8]
- Micro MPV
Micro MPV is the Company's first mini van made at start of the company.
Collaboration
At present, Micro Car company is assembling SUVs in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with SsangYong Motors of South Korea. The vehicles include the SsangYong Kyron, SsangYong Actyon and Ssangyong Rexton, all powered by Mercedes-Benz engines.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sri Lanka Business News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
- ↑ PTI Dec 8, 2007, 11.35am IST (2007-12-08). "Sri Lanka's Micro Cars to export SUVs to India - Economic Times". Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
- ↑ "HNB and Micro Cars sign joint venture". nation.lk. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
- ↑ Microcars MX7 website
- ↑ Microcars EC7 website
- ↑ The Nation on Sunday 17 August 2008
- ↑ Sri Lanka Guardian 21 August 2008
- ↑ Micro Cars product page
External links
- http://www.microcars.lk - Official website