Hybrid cars especially Toyota Prius are becoming popular in Sri Lanka due to its fuel efficiency and less carbon dioxide toxic fumes. Many people are now considering shifting gea from their conventional cars and purchasing a hybrid car to help in cutting fuel consumption costs, a new survey has revealed.
It was conducted by Kandy-based Sinhaputhra Finance PLC, one of the pioneers in importing hybrid vehicles to Sri Lanka, obtaining views from a wide range of customers who had purchased these vehicles from various established dealerships and also from Sinhaputhra itself.
These are some of the comments made by hybrid vehicle owners who participated in the Sinhaputhra Finance Company survey:
When asked to comment on hybrid cars, Prof. S.A .Kulasooriya from Kandy said, “I have a hybrid vehicle with extremely low running costs, hassle free and fulfilling my obligations towards a cleaner environment.’
Electrical Engineer J.N. Balasooriya, of Colombo stated: ‘I was a walk-in customer to the Sinhaputhra office at Liberty Plaza where they were sporting this beautiful hybrid luxury vehicle at a reasonable price! Whilst the entire nation's vehicle market had the worst to say, I wasted no time in making my purchase. I have driven over 20,000 km at an average cost of Rs. 6 per km.’
Another customer of Toyota Hybrid, Ms K. Siyambalagatenna from Kandy expressing her views said, “Certainly, the best car I have ever owned. Once you appreciate hybrids you will never go for a non hybrid.”
A multi-information display panel that monitors fuel and energy consumption provides feedback on the Prius' efficiency to help the driver acquire economical driving habits. ‘The best car I've ever owned. From fuel economy to the gas engine starting and stopping as the computer sees fit; it is truly a technological marvel,” noted T.E. Alahakoon, another Toyota hybrid customer from Kandy.
Unlike most other hybrid vehicles available, Prius has been a "full" hybrid since introduction. This allows it to run on engine alone, battery alone, or a combination of both.
Sinhaputhra Finance PLC has launched its Hybrid Fleet Management Service. which includes full insurance and free services matching rates of conventional petrol and diesel guzzlers offered by other financial institutions. Saliya De Alwis, Director Operations overseeing the Vehicle Imports and Fleet Management service, said that the turning point of sales came with the fleet management options after the Prius became more expensive due to unprecedented initial demand.
“Hybrids are here to stay and it’s the future of vehicles, nobody can reverse the clock that moves towards alternative energies. With many hybrid service stations coming up and further interest of new ventures, the customers are further secured and very well taken care of,” Mr De Alwis said.
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