The ninth Auto Expo, slated the biggest automotive trade show, is set to open on January 10, 2008, in New Delhi. The theme of the Auto expo is aptly ‘Mobility for All’. The Auto Expo, which is a bi-annual event, has been the impressive showcase of the Indian automobile and auto-component industry for the last 18 years. More than 2000 companies, 41 vehicle manufacturers, 1,900 auto components, auto accessories and other manufacturers are participating in this latest edition of the Auto Expo, spread over 1.20 lakh square meters.
The ninth Auto Expo will have sector focused pavilions such as accessories and car decor, alternate fuel/gas, diesel city, design, garage equipment, robotics, automation and infotronics. Rising crude oil prices have brought the focus back on small cars. The major highlight of the show is the cheapest car in the world has been unveiled in New Delhi. India’s Tata Motors Ltd has been presenting its no-frills new vehicle, set to sell for just 1,700 euros. It may not be flash but its practicality and low price is set to put car ownership within the grasp of millions of young families who make up India’s aspirational middle class.
Though the focus is on the much-awaited Rs 1 lakh car by Tata Motors, Pune-based Bajaj Auto on Tuesday announced plans to come out with a intra-city car in the next four years. The Volkswagen Beetle did the same in Germany, just as the Mini did in Britain. The car, named the Nano, has an engine of just over 600cc. Other manufacturers like Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and Fiat say they are now looking to build low-cost cars. Ford India Ltd, the Indian arm of the US automobile giant, also announced plans to invest $500 million to launch a small car in India. Underlining the significance of the Indian market, the auto expo will see the participation of 51 vehicle manufacturers and 1,900 component and accessory manufacturers.
Other new vehicles include, sports utility vehicle Touareg of Volkswagen and compact car Jazz from Honda, are likely to be unveiled at the Auto Expo 2008. Maruti Suzuki will also show some of the forthcoming model’s design themes at Auto Expo 2008 in the form of the Concept A-Star and Splash. Other highlights of the 2008 event would be the global unveiling of 18 brands, including Tatas’ much-touted Rs 1-lakh car. In the event, General Motors will introduce its Hummer and Cadillac models for India, while Honda presents its Civic Hybrid car.
By 2030, India is poised to be the third-largest automotive market in the world after the US and China. India’s automotive industry is worth $32 billion and is expected to grow to $145 billion by 2016. There will be the major presence of Chinese auto component manufacturers. In fact, there will be more component makers participating at the expo than car manufacturers. Chinese motorcycle makers, electric bike companies as well as bus makers like Kinglon will also be there. The expo will also have the largest-ever overseas participation with country pavilions from Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the US. For the first time Tamil Nadu will be setting up a pavilion to woo foreign investors.