DIMO sponsors JITF 2013 and displays home-grown car by Jaffna DATS

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) came on board as the main sponsor at the recently concluded Jaffna International Trade Fair 2013, which was held from 18-20 January at the Durayappah Stadium. This event proved to be a success with more than 60,000 visitors coming in during the three days and companies from India and Sri Lanka, especially from Colombo.

The ceremonial opening was held at the Jaffna Library under the patronage of many distinguished guests including Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce, while V. Mahalingam, Consul General of India in Jaffna, was the special guest.

This event was organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries Yarlpanam, FCCISL and was supported by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, with India coming in as the partner country. DIMO has been partnering with this event as the main sponsor for the last four years, considering the fact that this is the largest exhibition to happen in the North every year.

DIMO had three display areas at the exhibition – an open area vehicle display, a closed area display of DIMO’s other products and a display of TATA Nanos at the entrance. The open area display included the TATA passenger car range (which included Nano and Manza), the entire TATA commercial vehicle range (which included DIMO Batti, DIMO Batta, 207 single cabs, LCV, MCV, HCV, tippers, buses etc.) and Mahindra tractors with implements. This provided a great opportunity for the Jaffna community to witness the entire range of TATA vehicles in Jaffna without having to come to Colombo.

The DIMO closed display area stall, which spanned across an area of over 1,000 square feet, took a very local theme – ‘Swayam Waram’ – which is the auspicious ceremony by which you choose your partner in life in Jaffna. It was modelled according to the style of an old castle in which the world’s best engineered brands were available for selection – to partner.

Bosch power tools and accessories, SKIL power tools, Bosch automotive products, WD-40, Fischer fixing solutions, Kumho and MRF tires, original equipment for automobiles, Osram lighting products, Bosch service, DIMO Adhisathkara engine repair and the DIMO Automobile Training School had displays in the enclosed area.

In addition to the display inside the stall by the Jaffna DIMO Automobile Training School (DATS) which included cut models of Mercedes-Benzes and TATA engines, they brought their own home-grown automobile to the event. It was developed by 11 students from the second year of the Jaffna DATS program.

It was built by modifying a DIMO Batta engine, and furthermore, they modified the drive train, gearbox, differential and rear axle to make it smaller to suit the car. The entire chassis was developed by the students to suit the modified components, including the steering system. The end product was a diesel powered, single seat go-cart type car and with a very good turning circle. This car was actually driven to the grounds along the A9 road from the DATS premises. This vehicle was developed under the guidance of Donald De Silva, Parakrama Abeykoon and the academic staff of DATS.

Jaffna DATS was established in May 2010 as the first-ever technical training institute in post-war Jaffna. It follows a curriculum set by Daimler AG and provides a two-year training course for 16 youth from Jaffna free-of-charge.