For the first time in the World, an Australian BOI company, Autogroup International, based in Malambe, is designing ultra luxury vehicles for global CEOs and VVIPs.
A 100% Australian-owned company specialising in the complex conversion of vehicles from left-hand drive to right-hand drive for worldwide re-export, for the past 20 years, Autogroup International Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman Rob Hill said that they will also make this bullet proof.
He said they are already in the process of converting the first USA-made Hammer vehicle to be given out to the global CEO. “We have already got this converted SUV vehicle from a left-hand drive to a right-hand one and have also raised its hood to give more space to the user.”
“Usually we will have two business seats facing the front side and have a large screen which can be used as a TV, Video player, computer and computer installed between the driver and rear. This can be lowered to speak to the driver or see the road ahead of them.
“We also have a mini fridge with several features in the two seats and all the interior finishes made out of wood were done in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Over the years, Autogroup gradually built a base of automobile enthusiasts who have eagerly followed the inspiring progress made by the company as it brought down, converted and shipped out the latest right-hand drive American SUVs, Muscle Cars and Pickup trucks from the USA.
Autogroup International was founded by Chairman Peter Hill (of SriLankan fame) over 30 years ago when he embarked on a journey to convert left-hand drive vehicles to right-hand drive in Australia.
Having established Autogroup in Sri Lanka as a Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) business over 20 years ago, the local operations has witnessed growth in demand for right-hand drive American SUVs, Muscle Cars and Pickup trucks.
Over the past two decades the company has grown steadily and today become a successful venture that employs a highly-talented and well-trained team of experts on par with any found internationally. The company’s team of over 175 crew members has converted over 4,500 vehicles, which have been exported to over 40 countries, bringing millions of USD income to Sri Lanka’s economy.
“We also have a large component of local value addition which allows some of the Dollars we earn to go back to the community.
“The company is also looking at expanding our operations with one more factory and may most likely select Sri Lanka for this,” said Hill.
He said that when it comes to import and export customs and port procedure is smooth and this is very praiseworthy. “However we see some uncalled for regulations that give us second thought of reinvesting in Sri Lanka.”
“For example we have a very strong web presence from all over the world and when some Sri Lankans want to purchase a cap though we don’t make a profit from it regulations prohibit from doing it,” he said.
