Auto Expo 2018 to see 24 new product launches, over 75 vehicle refreshes

The Motor Show 2018, which is being organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), jointly with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is set to see more than 100 vehicle previews across the passenger vehicle, two-wheeler and commercial vehicle segments, at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida between February 9-14, 2018.

The Motor Show, which is set on the theme of ‘Co-Create, Co-Exist and Celebrate’, which SIAM says is in sync with its focus on the ‘Entire Mobile Eco-System’, will see participation from around 50 percent of SIAM members, along with a number of new entrants including Kia Motors and India Kawasaki and some technology companies. And, at the concurrent Component Show 2018, held at the Pragati Maidan, around 1,200 exhibitors from 20 countries will be participating. The separate locale is mainly to draw the different audience, comprising B2B visitors and exhibitors.

SIAM states that the Auto Expo 2018 is set to become a more engaging experience and the body has extended the event by one day due to the increase in response that it has witnessed through the years. It adds that India’s Auto Expo ranks among the top 7-8 auto shows globally.

The automotive industry contributes around $20 billion in exports alone, apart from being one of the top employers in the country. The industry body says that by 2026, Indian industry, which is already the biggest two-wheeler manufacturer, will also become the third biggest commercial and passenger vehicle manufacturer.

Arun Malhotra, MD, Nissan Motor India and chairman, SIAM Trade Fair, said, “Mobility’s future evolution is just beginning, and Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2018 will be a platform to showcase the best in mobility and technology for the consumers. Over the years, the Auto Expo has emerged as a global platform for auto manufacturers to showcase their best of product, technology, and futuristic visions. We are confident this edition of AETMS will set new benchmarks globally for the Indian mobility system solutions.”

Sugato Sen, deputy director general, SIAM, said: “This edition of the Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2018 is one of the biggest motor shows of this region and we have moved away from just the static displays of automobiles to a more dynamic showcase of total mobility solutions. There will be multiple zones for different activities keeping in tune with the theme of the expo and will be more focused towards new technologies and innovation in the auto industry.”

As regards the good number of OEMs not participating in this year’s show claiming “high expenses”, Sen said: “The cost per square feet of space has remained the same since 2012; there has been no revision in the price charged to the companies at all. In fact, the discount that we started in 2012 to encourage participation from OEMs is still being continued. There are certain companies which have not participated but that has been a common trend. In every edition of the Auto Expo, there will be some companies which do not have any new major product to showcase or some other difficulty which makes them to not participate in the event.”

He further stated that Indian automotive industry is going through one of the biggest disruptions due to the transition from BS IV to BS VI and the focus towards environment-friendly vehicles has created a situation for many companies towards focusing on developing the relevant technology, not towards launching new vehicles but more towards refreshes.

He claimed that the Auto Expo in India sees the highest number of average footfalls per day (100,000) compared to any other motor show globally. 

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