SAMIL Kolkata Automall Inauguration

Shriram Transport Finance Company Ltd (STFC), India’s largest asset financing company, today launched 'Shriram Automall' in Kolkata. This move is in line with the company’s plans to open 60 Automalls in key cities of the county by 2013. STFC has already set up 15 Automalls across key locations in the country so far.

 Informing this, official sources said Shriram Automall is the first-of-its kind initiative for the trading of pre-owned commercial vehicles, infrastructure and agricultural equipment in an organised and transparent manner. Mr. Umesh G Revankar, Managing Director, Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited, inaugurated the Automall in Kolkata today.

 With this Automall, Shriram Automall aims to put an end to the unreliable and old practices prevalent in commercial vehicle transactions by cultivating organized vehicle-trading mechanism. Apart from vehicle transactions, the Automall will help customers seek financing and insurance options as well as provide refurbishment solutions for vehicles. As add-on facilities, the Automall will also provide rest rooms for travel-fatigued truck drivers/cleaners and parking services.

Equipped with secured stockyards, such Automalls will be strategically located on important highways of the country, spreading across up to 20 acres of land.

“Automall, the first of its kind concept in Kolkata, will provide a major boost to commercial vehicle owners across India. We aim to bring greater transparency and value-added services to the Commercial Vehicles & Equipment trading Industry in India. The Kolkata facility will house hundreds of pre-owned commercial vehicles, both in as-is-where-is and refurbished condition. On the backdrop of government’s decision to prioritize infrastructural development of the nation as per 12th Five Year Plan, this initiative will provide ample support to the growing needs of transportation and infrastructure industries.” said Umesh .G. Revankar, Managing Director, Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited, at the launch.

Announcing the launch of the Kolkata Automall, Sameer Malhotra, Chief Executive Officer, Shriram Automall India Limited, said, “We intend to create an organised and reliable structure for the trading of pre-owned commercial vehicles with utmost transparency. Through our Automalls, we have given the buyers and the sellers a unique platform where they can conduct transactions in a hassle-free manner.”

The Automall in Kolkata also houses two new initiatives that provide value-added services to vehicle owners: 'Shriram One Stop' and 'Shriram New Look'. 'Shriram One Stop' is a computerized touch screen kiosk which is a virtual Truck Bazaar, providing information about used commercial vehicles available for sale, while 'Shriram New Look' offers a platform for transaction of authentic vehicles. Old trucks from the market are refurbished and sold under this brand name. (EOIC)