New Delhi: Auto Expo, India’s flagship automobile show, returns this week after a one-year delay. Leading car makers are geared to unveil over 70 new products — largely in the electric vehicles and alternative fuel segment — at the week-long event taking place in two venues in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Auto Expo is divided into two categories — the motor show will take place from 13 January to 18 January at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida; and the components show starts on 12 January and goes on until 15 January at the Pragati Maidan, Delhi.
The biannual show last took place in February 2020. The next edition was to happen in 2022, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
While major automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, MG Motor India and Toyota Kirloskar, are expected to attend the event, visitors may be left wanting as some notable manufacturers are giving the expo a miss.
Three big luxury car makers — Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi — whose exhibits are usually the biggest attractions for the audience, will be skipping the event. Mahindra & Mahindra, Volkswagen, and Skoda will also give the expo a miss.
In line with the ongoing conversations on electric vehicles, this year an array of manufacturers are expected to focus on displaying their electric prowess.
The country’s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki, is expected to do a global unveiling of its electric SUV. It is also expected to launch the much-awaited five-door Jimny and one more SUV. Hyundai Motor India will be launching its electric vehicle IONIQ 5.
The displays by major two-wheeler makers — Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India, and TVS Motors — will be restricted to showcasing flex fuel or ethanol-powered vehicles.
Lexus is likely to be the only player at the expo representing the luxury vehicle segment and will be introducing the Lexus RX.
Other manufacturers participating in the show are Ashok Leyland, VE Commercial Vehicles, JBM Auto, SML Isuzu, Greaves Cotton, and BYD India.