Showing their keenness in buying motorcars before the price hikes, Sri Lankans have created a record by making September 2015 as the month where the highest number of motorcars has been registered in Sri Lanka within a month.

While latest data reveals that 14,301 motorcars have been registered in September 2015, this is the highest number of motorcars registered within a month so far.

Only 9,107 motorcars had been registered during August 2015.

The government has increased the Customs levies on motor vehicles as a solution to the depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee and the traffic congestion in major cities. Hence, due to most Sri Lankans’ keenness to buy vehicles before these price increases the registration too has increased.

Sri Lanka Motor Vehicle Importers’ Association president Indika Sampath Merinchige said that this rush was due to the availability of vehicles imported at lower prices before the Customs levy increase.

“This showed a huge growth in vehicle sales recently. The increase in Customs levies on Japanese vehicles is effective from 01 October 2015,” Merinchige added.