Driving Off

A pick up in the Indian car market is driving the leasing business here, with Tata India expanding its fleet of vehicles locally to tap the potential.







A pick up in the Indian car market is driving the leasing business here, with Tata India expanding its fleet of vehicles locally to tap the potential. Diesel and Motor Engineering Company (DIMO) Director Gahanath Pandithage says sales in Indian cars are picking up, a claim backed up by Hatton National Bank’s (HNB) leasing division.

Pandithage says the market dynamics are changing, with the average Sri Lankan now increasingly opting for an Indian made car which is nearly on par with its Japanese counterparts in its features and comfort levels but with an affordable price tag.

In addition, an expanding awareness and after sales points supported with ample spares for the Indian machines is also protecting the second hand value of the vehicles, says Pandithage.

Already, unofficial estimates indicate that India’s Maruti is the hot selling car this season, beating popular Japanese reconditioned cars.

Sales are driven largely by its price tag ranging from about Rs.

570,000 for a brand new