Recently, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. expanded its global footprint with the inauguration of its local automotive assembly plant at Welipenna, near Colombo, Sri Lanka. Christened Mahindra Ideal Lanka Pvt. Ltd. this assembly plant is in collaboration with Ideal Motors of Sri Lanka.

The assembly plant recently rolled out its first product, the compact SUV, KUV100 and will roll out a slew of products over the next 3 years.

The CKD assembly plant was inaugurated in the presence of Honorable Prime Minster of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, his Cabinet of Ministers, Malik Samarawickrama, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, M&M Ltd, Arvind Mathew, Chief of International Operations, M&M Ltd and other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, "Inauguration of this automotive assembly plant is a significant milestone for Mahindra's foray into the Sri Lanka market. Sri Lanka is a key strategic market for us and we are now fully equipped to deliver products customised to local needs, on time. I would like to thank the Government of Sri Lanka for their unstinted support and am very optimistic that this new assembly plant will not only add to industrial growth in the country but will also generate significant employment opportunities at our plant and at supplier's end".

Arvind Mathew, Chief of International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., mentioned, "Our partnership with Ideal Motors over the years has gone from strength to strength as we draw upon mutual synergies for a win-win association. I am confident that this new assembly plant will further maximize industrial activities, speed up operational effectiveness and enable us to serve our customers better in Sri Lanka".

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Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Nalin Welgama, Chairman of Ideal Motors, said, "Ideal Motors and Mahindra have been partnering each other for a decade to deliver value to the customers of Sri Lanka. Today's inauguration signals the epitome of our dream and ambition, which was to assemble a passenger vehicle locally, by partnering with an auto major like Mahindra known for their tough and rugged DNA. This new partnership will enable Sri Lanka to ‘Rise' and manifest its glory through the ‘Made in Sri Lanka' route"

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