Micro Cars

History

Micro Cars was established by TAK engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perara. Micro's first introduction was "Micro Privilege" which had 1,000 cc (1.0 L; 61 cu in) gasoline engine with inline 4 cylinders. After that it produced Micro MPV Junior van and the Micro Trend hatchback, which were more 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.

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. Micro Cars export products to Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Micro Cars, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Micro Holdings, is engaged in imports and assembly of the vehicle brands Geely, Ssangyong, Hafei and Great Wall Motors of China.

Micro Panda

The Panda is assembled in Sri Lanka by Micro Cars from complete knock down kits. It is a small city car sold with a choice of 1.0 or 1.3 L (0.22 or 0.29 imp gal; 0.26 or 0.34 US gal) petrol engines. A 1.3 Cross version is also sold.

Micro MX7 Mark II

The MX7 Mark II is a rebadged version of the Geely King Kong1, it is a traditional saloon car powered by a 1.5 L (0.33 imp gal; 0.40 US gal) petrol engine producing 93 hp.

Micro Geely EC7

The EC7 is a four-door saloon, powered by 1 1.8 L (0.40 imp gal; 0.48 US gal) petrol engine producing 139PS.

Micro Chairman W

The Chairman W is a large four-door saloon.

Micro Actyon

This is the SUV manufactured in Sri Lanka by Micro Car Company. It has a 2.0 L (0.44 imp gal; 0.53 US gal) inter cooler Turbo Diesel Common Rail Direct Injection 3rd Generation VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) A200XVT Engine producing a maximum power of Power 141 hp (105 kW) @ 4,000 rpm and a maximum Torque 310 N·m (230 lbf·ft) @ 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 Rexton II

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 L (0.59 imp gal; 0.71 US gal) Diesel Engine with tip-tronic transmission.

Micro Rodius

This is another SUV made by Micro Car Co Ltd. in collaboration with Ssanyong Motors. In essence, a copy of the SsangYong Rodius also with some degree of local content such as the interior. It is powered by an ex-Mercedes Benz 3.2 L (0.70 imp gal; 0.85 US gal) 6-cylinder gasoline engine ( 162 kW or 217 hp & 309 N·m or 228 lb·ft ) and the 2.7 L (0.59 imp gal; 0.71 US gal) 5-cylinder common rail diesel engine ( 121 kW or 162 hp & 342 N·m or 252 lb·ft ).

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. The engine and chassis are imported with Chinese parts and assembled in Sri Lanka.

Discontinued models

The Privilege was the first car produced by Micro. This car is powered by 1,000 cc (0.22 imp gal; 0.26 US gal) 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.

The Micro Trend is a city car 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 introduced a new version of the Micro Trend, with the first batch of New Trend cars on sale by early March 2011.

The Micro MX7 is a traditional saloon car designed by Pininfarina and powered by a Mitsubishi 1.6 L (0.35 imp gal; 0.42 US gal) petrol engine producing 100 hp (75 kW).

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

Collaboration

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