Business

An auto extravaganza

EVERY ALTERNATE year in January Delhi becomes abuzz with excitement in the cold winter air raring to witness the glamorous show of sleek and stylish automobiles at what is claimed to be Asia's largest Auto Show — the Auto Expo. This year too the Seventh Auto Expo provided another exciting week of dazzling displays of beautiful forms and lissome models. The Auto Expo is organised jointly by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The first expo was held in 1986, the second in 1993, and the third in 1996. Since then the expo has been institutionalised as a biennial show. Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, inaugurated this year's expo.

With over a million footfalls at this world-class automobiles, components and accessories show, auto and bike manufacturers find it an ideal launch pad for their new products and technology. In fact, in an attempt to pre-empt existing and competing models, some manufacturers who are not yet ready for commercial production of their own products, find this an ideal occasion to showcase the products to be launched to prospective customers. Despite the stiff entry ticket of Rs. 300 during business hours this time, about 1.5 lakhs came during business hours to have an interface with over 960 automobile and ancillary companies from 26 countries.

Tata Motors, Maruti, Hyundai, Skoda and Mercedes Benz were some of the players which put up an impressive show of their technological prowess and products with renewed flair and style. Bajaj Tempo and Ashok Leyland displayed exciting products from the commercial vehicle segment. While the excitement was widespread among the visitors they were a tad disappointed as some of the major domestic and multinational car manufacturers such as Honda, General Motors, Toyota, Ford, M&M and Hindustan Motors stayed away from the expo. These manufacturers attributed their non-participation to the high participation costs and lack of tangible gains proportionate to the spends.

On the other hand, adding to the excitement were quite a few new manufacturers. One such much-awaited and quite hyped entry was that of Nissan, with its SUV, the X-Trail on display. This stylish new SUV is to hit the market soon, according to company officials, with a powerful turbo-diesel version, priced in the region of Rs. 20 lakhs. The Nissan Primera and the Sunny too will eventually find their way to India. Nissan is conducting tests on its proposed entry models at the ARAI facility at Ahmednagar for homologation approvals prior to launching these models officially in the Indian market. Audi, another Volkswagen company, came in as part of the German pavilion and showed off its stylish TT roadster.

Hyundai had an impressive presence showcasing its new models slated to be launched in India this year. The Mini B+ segment entrant Hyundai Getz that will compete with the likes of the Suzuki Ignis and the Elantra that will re-define competition in the C2 segment with the likes of the Chevrolet Optra were proudly displayed as Hyundai's jewels of the future in India. The company announced the launch of its Accent VIVA with a CRDI (common rail diesel injection) engine at a price tag of Rs. 6.55 lakhs ex-showroom Delhi. Attracting attention from all was Hyundai's concept car HCD-7 on display that had some similarity in looks at least to the much-coveted Maybach.

Mercedes, undeterred by any value-rationale, came with all its might and proudly displayed one of the world's most expensive and luxurious cars, the Maybach. This gorgeous piece of expensive designer machinery on four wheels is slated to be available in India to prospective customers in the price range of Rs. 3.5 to Rs. 5 crores. This car (read `price-tag') actually attracted maximum attention from the public. The Maybach is designed to seat four persons in a delightful lap of luxury. Mercedes also showcased its current model range of locally manufactured cars as well as imported CBUs. Other members of the German pavilion included Skoda, which along with Audi is again part of the Volkswagen group. Skoda put up a two-door coupe concept car, Tudor, based on the Superb platform. The Superb was also on display, along with the top-of-the-line Octavia L & K (Laurene & Klement). Two versions of the Fabia were also on display as was the World Rally Championship winning Octavia.

Tata Motors also displayed its entire product range in its full glory. Its range started from the basic Tata 207 and its various avatars, custom-built trucks catering to special army, industrial and construction requirements and bus platforms in the commercial vehicle segment. The passenger car segment displays comprised the face lifted versions of Indica and Indigo. Ratan Tata unveiled the all-new Marina Estate, the station wagon version of the Indigo designed and built by Telco. The Safari Sports and the Indiva Concept car from Tatas showcased the company's design and technological prowess.

Maruti, which put up an impressive 1,775 sq. m display area to show off its horses in the passenger car market, which included the 3-door Suzuki Jimny, which could well become the entry-level SUV for the young and those who are young at heart. The Concept S, the Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle (the world's fastest motorcycle) and the Formula Suzuki race-car were there to weave an interesting story of how Suzuki has mastered the art of using a common 1.3 litre engine across three different platforms. It also showed off the `Twin' hybrid car which can cover 35 kilometres on one litre of petrol and has a 600cc. petrol engine.

In all this display of technological prowess and futuristic products the Heritage Motoring Club of India had its pride of place displaying rare vehicles of yesteryears. More than 40 vintage and classic cars and 10 bikes were on display, each with its own unique heritage and restoration history. This was perhaps one display that had maximum viewership. It was interesting to watch doyens of the Indian auto industry such as Mr. Ratan Tata spending time to go over the well-restored details of the golden oldies on display.

Two wheelers

This is not to say that two-wheelers were not present in numbers. TVS, Bajaj and Hero group put up an impressive show. TVS showed off its new Centra, a product that has been awaited for some time and Bajaj Auto showed five new models of bikes and scooter, which it plans to unveil this year. LML also took up a large area and showed off 30 of its models. The display had two wheelers made in-house as well as those from its partner Daelim, including low-displacement cruisers which it hopes will find favour in the Indian market, in-line with the current trends. The newly launched Graptor was also shown here.

Hero Motors displayed the Aprilia RSV, which it intends to bring into India some time in the third quarter of 2004. On display were several new scooters based on the Aprilia design. That was not all. Chinese manufacturer Lifan was readying for its show of strength, as it prepares to formally reenter the Indian market. It showed two new models that it intends to launch soon. The Chinese motorcycle contingent was twenty manufacturers strong.

Component manufacturers were the ones who made the most of the show and were seen transacting a lot of business along with accessories manufacturers. The other big draw was the entertainment stalls put up by Sony, Blaupunkt and Kenwood; they were big crowd pullers because of the dances and prizes for clues to puzzles. In-car entertainment displays were another added excitement for car owners. Free go-karting organised by J. K. Tyres was a big hit with the young and the old.

It sure was heartening to see enthusiastic Indians making a beeline to know the future of their mobility requirements but it would be even more interesting if in times to come there is whole hearted participation from all members of the industry in all their glory.

Till we meet at the 2006 Auto-Expo — Happy Motoring!

Tutu Dhawan

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