LNP – Importers deny drop in vehicle sales, 75% of imports already sold

While rejecting media reports claiming there is a decrease in sales of imported vehicles, the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) said today that since the resumption of vehicle imports, nearly 75 percent of imported vehicles have already been sold.

Addressing the media, VIASL President Prasad Manage said there is no shortage of vehicles arriving in the country.Â

Nearly 7,000 new vehicles have already been imported to both the Hambantota and Colombo Ports, he said.Â

He further noted that there is a high demand for new vehicles, as people have waited five years for the resumption of imports. It is natural, he added, that there has been a slight increase in vehicle taxes, along with a rise in the Japanese Yen rate both contributing factors to the increase in vehicle prices.

Therefore, the VIASL President encouraged consumers to visit their nearest vehicle showrooms to experience and purchase their desired vehicles.

He also highlighted the higher demand for Toyota models, small vehicles such as the Japanese Alto and Wagon R, as well as European vehicles.

When asked about future vehicle prices, the association president explained that due to the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates in the global market, it is difficult to predict whether vehicle prices will decrease.