Micro Cars

Micro Cars (Pvt.) Ltd.

Type	Public
Industry	Automotive industry
Founded	1995
Headquarters	Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka
Key people	Dr. Lawrence Perara, 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	Micro Privilege Micro MPV Junior III Micro Trend Micro MX7 Micro Rexton II Micro Kyron Micro Actyon Micro Actyon Sports Micro Duodeck Micro Primemover Micro Agri
Website	www.microcars.lk

Micro Cars is a automobile company based in Peliyagoda, Sri Lanka, Founded in 1995. This was established by automobile engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perara. Their first introduction was "Micro Privilege" which had 1000cc gasoline engine with inline 4 cylinders. After that they have produced Micro MPV Junior van and the Micro Trend hatchback which are somewhat 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.

Its designs are well suited for this country, where cars are frequently considered luxury accessories.^{[citation needed]} 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]}

Products

Micro Privilege

Micro Privilege 2004

Micro Privilege is the first ever locally manufactured vehicle in Sri Lanka. The car was designed to provide safer, economical, environmental friendly and affordable means of transport for the masses of the country.

The 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 produced by Micro Cars Ltd.,Sri Lanka. It was 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 have introduced glamorous and luxuries looking "Micro Trend", and first batch of New Trend cars are expected to hit the road in early March of 2011.

Micro MX7

The Micro MX7 is a traditional saloon car designed by Pininfarina and powered by a Mitsubishi 1.6 L petrol engine producing 100hp.^[1]

Micro Actyon

Main article: SsangYong 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 141hp @ 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 Actyon Sport

Main article: SsangYong Actyon

This is the pick up truck of Micro Car Co Ltd. It is made on the basic plan of Micro Actyon but in the model of a double cab.

Micro Rexton II

Micro Rexton II

Main article: SsangYong Rexton

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 MPV

Micro MPV is the Company's first mini van made at start of the company.

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.^[2] The engine and chassis are imported with Chinese parts and assembled in Sri Lanka.^[3]

Collaboration with Ssangyong

At present Micro Car company is assembling SUVs in Sri Lanka collaborated with SsangYong motors of Korea. The vehicles include the SsangYong Kyron, SsangYong Actyon and Ssangyong Rexton, all powered by Mercedes-Benz engines.

References

1. ^ Micro Cars product page
2. ^ The Nation on Sunday 17 August 2008
3. ^ Sri Lanka Guardian 21 August 2008

External links

• http://www.microcars.lk - Official website