–Urges vehicle owners to seek quality and professional automotive repair and maintenance services for a safe and an economical ride–
Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association (SLASPA), the apex body representing the country’s automobile industry, said it is fully committed to transforming Sri Lanka’s automobile manufacturing, repair and maintenance sector in a challenging 2022. Addressing the media, representatives of SLASPA further stressed that they would drive the industry body with an articulate vision to make the whole industry a pivotal economic cog amidst the impending macroeconomic challenges.
The key elements of SLASPA’s forward-looking 2022 vision include offering an excellent service on par with international standards to customers in the automobile repair and maintenance sector whilst clearing obstacles that hinder the forward march of the industry. The association further wishes to provide international-level training to professionals and all those engrossed in the industry to improve their skills and update their knowledge, attract modern global technology to this industry and proactively engage with the key stakeholders, inclduing the Government, to take the automobile manufacturing, repair and maintainance industry of Sri Lanka to greater heights.
Formed in 2017, Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association aims to be the largest business community in the nation, responsible for the professional up keeping of vehicles to manufacturer’s specifications and under required laws and regulations, whilst assisting regulators in upgrading necessary rules and regulations on the industry. SLASPA believes that each automobile industry sector should yield reasonable returns and employment of professionals with a high emphasis on FAIR TRADE to become exemplary citizens of Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the press conference, Amal Piyatilake the president of SLASPA said, “The automobile repair industry in Sri Lanka has a history of more than 100 years. Given the present situation of our island-nation, SLSPA believes that our industry could play a key role as a fundamentally crucial component of the overall economy of Sri Lanka, helping the country to thrive in these unprecedented times. Against this backdrop, our clear-cut vision for 2022 will provide a window of opportunity to address and resolve longstanding common issues confronting the trade collectively. We will endeavour to ensure an efficient, courteous and expeditious service to clients of the members whilst improving the standards and quality of our workshops.”
The formation of SLASPA five years back met a longstanding need for the automobile industry, including industry innovators, service stations, mechanical repairers, body shops,auto A/C repairers,etc to express their views and voice concerns about diverse issues about their business activities in providing automobile-related services. This year, the association focuses on helping all stakeholders in the automobile service industry improve their capacity and quality of services provided whilst building networking opportunities.
Furthermore, SLASPA will negotiate with Government and non-government establishments and regulatory bodies on behalf of the members and address the need for skilled and trained staff to face the challenges in repairing modern motor vehicles.
Having recognised the pivotal role they play in the industry, the Government of Sri Lanka had appointed two of their members into special Cabinet-approved committees that steer the developments of the local automobile repair service industry. Charted Automobile Engineer Ravith SIlva, Head of Strategy and National Organiser of SLASPA, who was appointed by the Ministry of Industries to the Automobile Components Manufacturing & Assembly-Related Industry Committee as an advisory committee member. He was highly involved in the fabrication and upkeeping of the SOP which were launched by in March 2021 for local vehicle assembly and manufacturing. Additionally, Shashika De Silva, Media coordinator of SLASPA, is a member of the Trade Development Council of the Ministry of Finance.
During the press conference, SLASPA urged local vehicle owners to seek the guidance of a professional automobile repair service centre that uses quality material and procedures. The association representatives stressed that vehicle owners should not compromise quality over increasing repair service costs even in these turbulent times. It is of utmost importance to ensure 100% safety and the vehicle’s market value for everyone.
“The present macroeconomic challenges caused by the pandemic have impacted the local automobile repair and maintenance industry. We see a price increase for every relatable aspect of the industry —from lubricants, body parts, material, fuel and other equipment costs to labour charges of technicians. This has resulted in vehicle owners compromising the quality and safety of their vehicles by choosing cheaper and low-quality auto repair and maintenance options due to price increases. Even amidst an economically-challenged period, the SLSPA does not encourage this. You put yourself and your loved ones in danger if you try and save money on DIY repairs,” said Sunil Devasurendra, Secretary of SLASPA.
Several disruptive trends and automotive industry challenges are poised to transform Sri Lanka’s automobile repair services industry’s outlook for 2022 and beyond. SLASPA said that local auto repair shops that want to ensure tackling these disruptive trends and thrive in 2022 must begin to take steps now to prepare their shops and their staff for a future in which transformative trends will drive it. The association pointed out that for the local industry to sustain business continuity, three key factors will play a crucial role in 2022 and beyond: professionalism, quality processes and procedures, and customer safety.
“To address these issues and sustain the industry’s momentum, SLSPA recommends three key elements— professionalism, quality processes and procedures and customer safety—for all industry representatives to adhere to. We need to be professional about our business, especially the pricing. The industry needs to properly analyse the market trends, global pricing patterns and set benchmarks to impose proper price controls. And these price changes have to be properly communicated to customers to avoid less friction between the client and the service provider,” said Sunil Devasurendra, Secretary of SLASPA further.
Further, Shashika De Silva, Media Cordinator of SLASPA. informed that the general public should prioritise a SLASPA certified workshop for all the repairs and maintenance. SLASPA ensures that such establishments would carry out the repair or service in high moral and technical standards to keep the vehicle performing to its original condition for a longer period. SLASPA would also ensure that the organisation will independently assess all customer grievances or disagreements to ensure the vehicle owner’s interest is kept at the peak.
Similarly, suppose consumers visited any NON-SLASPA workshop for any repair or maintenance job. In that case, they may be victimised by inferior repairs done according to financial benefits that favour the repairer or any other directives by third party financial interest holders. This may devalue their vehicle at resale and breakdowns at unknown times and places. At such a point, there would be no mediation opportunities to solve such calamities
Finally, SLASPA announced that it had launched FAIR TRADE AUTO as a responsible organisation. It certifies any organisation that holds this logo on their invoices, policies and or workshop/garage is certified as an exemplary business with high levels of moral and technical soundness that protect the rights of the consumer, employee, and environment well as local and international laws and regulations. During the press conference, SLASPA urged vehicle owners to look only for SLASPA certified workshops and, in that, those who have Fair TRADE CERTIFICATION for quality vehicle repairs and maintenance