The Industry 2022 exhibition stall of Ideal Group, Sri Lanka’s premier organisation with core business interests in motor franchise imports and motor spare parts, generated strong public interest drawing large crowds.

Sri Lanka’s premier fully-fledged automotive player Ideal Motor Group showcased its supremacy by exhibiting locally assembled vehicles, home-grown ATV, home-grown entry level fully electric car, Mahindra-approved locally manufactured automotive components and the technical courses on offer under the NVQ4 programme, at the national industrial exhibition, which concluded on the February 6, 2022, at the BMICH.

The exhibition organised by the Sri Lanka Industrial Development Board, under the guidance of the Industries Ministry, was held for the first time, to promote the local vehicle industry and provide a strong foundation for a significant revival of industries within the country.

Industry 2022 featured 300 stalls, representing the top 20 industries in the country and was held from March 3-6, at the BMICH exhibition grounds.

Showcasing the Ideal Group’s strong business interests, five companies representing the organisation exhibited their products to the public. Namely, Ideal Industries (Pvt.) Ltd, Ideal Modicon Engineering, Mahindra Ideal Lanka, Ideal Motors and the Ideal Vocational Training Unit were present during the exhibition.

Visitors to the Ideal Group stall were able to view the Mahindra KUV100NXT petrol and diesel vehicles that have been assembled locally and also the Mahindra Bolero City Pick-Up, as well as locally manufactured spare parts. Also on display was a vehicle specially designed by Ideal Motors for the Sri Lanka Forces. 

The public visiting the Ideal Group stall were also able to view the unveiling of Ideal Motor’s electrically powered car (which will soon be introduced to the market), created and designed based on a concept by visionary Ideal Group Founder and Chairman Nalin Welgama.

At the stall, Ideal Industries (Pvt.) Ltd exhibited the locally manufactured Mahindra KUV100 NXT petrol and diesel vehicles and educated the public in attendance on how the company locally produced the Mahindra Bolero City Pick-Up’s seating system on par with international standards. Ideal Modicon Engineering created awareness on the range of products manufactured such as its silencer system, petrol and diesel tanks and the production of the deck (body) required for the Mahindra Bolero City Pick-Up to transport goods. Visitors to the exhibition were engrossed in witnessing how the Bolero City Pick-Up’s deck (body) is manufactured and assembled at the Mahindra Ideal Lanka automobile assembly plant in Welipenna.

Located in Welipenna, Mahindra Ideal Lanka operates in accordance with the international standards of India’s Mahindra & Mahindra. The plant functions in line with other Mahindra & Mahindra’s factories located worldwide and is the only factory in the country to assemble vehicles in Sri Lanka, fabricating with local parts as per the stringent requirements of a globally recognised automaker. As a result of the plant’s success, the Mahindra KUV 100NXT diesel and petrol vehicles are now solely locally manufactured and will be exported to international markets shortly, while Indian production of these vehicles have been discontinued. Moreover, the Mahindra KUV100NXT petrol and diesel vehicles and Mahindra Bolero City Pick-Ups on display at the Ideal Motors stall attracted a large number of visitors.

Another highlight of the stall was the opportunity afforded to other companies involved in the assembly of vehicles, to place their order requirements with Ideal Industries (Pvt.) Ltd and Ideal Modicon Engineering.

The mobile car at the stall also drew interest and was well received by the public. The vehicle has been designed at the Ideal Group‘s Vocational Centre. Established as a corporate social responsibility project, the Ideal Group‘s Vocational Centre, located at No. 60 Maligawa Road, Moratuwa, provides youth unable to pursue higher education opportunities to gain technical knowledge and training. 

The students at the centre are provided with technical knowledge on vehicle engines, guidance on technical services and the opportunity to study up to the NVQ Level 4. The youth are also provided a monthly stipend from the centre. Looking to the future, the centre aims to impart technical knowledge to schools and technical institutes based on a programme titled ‘Technology for all before the village’ using the mobile vehicle.

Showcasing its products and services at Industry 2022, the Ideal Group is clearly demonstrating its significant contribution towards the growth of Sri Lanka’s economy.