15 October 2024 12:06 am Views - 26
Production Line
Locally assembled Bajaj Motorcycles
David Pieris Motor Company (Lanka) Limited (DPMC) achieved a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s automobile industry by producing motorcycles with local value addition (LVA) under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) introduced by the Government and the Ministry of Industries.
This was a move which marked a new era for the country’s vehicle manufacturing and assembly sector, with DPMC being the first to produce motorcycles locally under this programme.
In 2022, DPMC unveiled its first motorcycle model, the brand-new Bajaj CT 100, manufactured locally with components developed and tested within Sri Lanka. Following the success of this, the Company released another model, the Bajaj Discover 125, to the Sri Lankan market last year, further strengthening the local motorcycle production efforts.
Lakmal De Silva, General Manager – Vehicle Sales, DPMC, expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry of Industry and the Government for establishing this SOP.
“The Standard Operating Procedure has played a pivotal role in advancing Sri Lanka’s automobile industry, allowing customers to purchase brand new vehicles while also fostering local manufacturing,” De Silva stated.
He also hinted at the upcoming launch of the Bajaj Pulsar N160 motorcycle, which will be the next model to be manufactured under the LVA programme.
This local manufacturing initiative is a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s industrial sector, as it brings international technology into the country while supporting small and medium-scale industrialists. By using locally manufactured components, DPMC is not only contributing to the growth of the local economy but also enhancing the skill set of the workforce involved in automobile manufacturing.
Both the Bajaj Discover 125 and the CT 100 are assembled at DPMC’s state-of-the-art manufacturing complex in Ranna, Hambantota district. The components used in the production are thoroughly tested and approved by Bajaj, the parent company, ensuring that the vehicles meet international standards of quality and safety.
DPMC’s initiative under the LVA programme underscores the company’s commitment to advancing Sri Lanka’s automobile industry and providing high-quality, locally manufactured vehicles for the market.