The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) confirmed yesterday that there is no shortage of imported vehicles in the country and that nearly 7,000 new vehicles have already been imported to both the Hambantota and Colombo ports.
Addressing the media, VIASL Chairman Prasad Manage denied reports of a decline in imported vehicle sales, saying that nearly 75 percent of imported vehicles have already been sold since the resumption of vehicle imports.
“There is strong demand for new vehicles, as people have been waiting for five years for imports to resume. It is natural that there will be a slight increase in vehicle taxes and an increase in the Japanese yen, both of which will contribute to the increase in vehicle prices,” said Manage.
He also highlighted the increasing demand for Toyota models, compact vehicles such as the Japanese Alto and Wagon R, as well as European vehicles.
When asked about vehicle prices going forward, Manage explained that it is difficult to predict whether vehicle prices will decrease due to fluctuations in global foreign exchange rates.
