~ VAT not the reason for price increase
The prices of vehicles have increased at a pace by now and that under such a situation vehicle importers are finding it difficult to continue in their trade, said Attorney-at-Law Kokila Deekiriwewa, the joint chairman of the Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers’ Association, in response to a query by Ada Derana Biz regarding the current prices of vehicles.
Law Kokila Deekiriwewa said that currently, the price of an Aqua motorcar has increased to Rs. 4.8 million, a Prius to Rs. 5.9 million, a Honda Fit to Rs. 4.9 to 05 million, a Vezel to Rs. 07 million and a Suzuki Stingray to Rs. 3.5 million. He added that under such a situation there has been a huge drop in vehicle sale during the last few months.
He also said that the main cause for this situation was the continued depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee against foreign currencies like the US Dollar, Japanese Yen etc and further added that higher valuation by the Customs during vehicle imports compelling payment of higher duties has also impacted on the price increase.
The recent meeting between the Finance Minister and the vehicle importers too had been unfruitful, said the chairman of the Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers’ Association, adding that however, VAT is not being charged on imported vehicles.
Deekiriwewa said that the market for electric cars has completely crashed after the huge taxes imposed on such vehicles, while adding that under the new tax system the price of a Nissan Leaf is around Rs. 05 million. He said that under this situation there are a large number of un-cleared electric cars with the Customs.