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Hyderabad , Jan. 7

WITH the automotive sector heading for boom times, the Bus & Truck Expo 2005, organised jointly by Andhra Pradesh Expositions (APEX), the marketing arm of Hitex and the Chennai-based Unitech Exhibitions, brought together a host of automotive manufacturers under one roof.

The event, inaugurated by the State Transport Minister, Mr S. Santhosh Reddy, today has over 30 exhibitors displaying their products particularly commercial vehicles, petroleum companies and their offerings and other mobility solutions.

Unlike other auto expositions, this is theme-driven featuring commercial vehicles across segments.

India is ranked fifth in the world in production of commercial vehicles and all India sales of commercial vehicles including trucks and buses combined reflected a quantum jump of 36.8 per cent in 2003-2004 to 2,77,572.

According to SIAM forecast, the commercial vehicle industry sales are set to raise by 12 to 15 per cent in 2004-2005. With three quarters gone by, and the current performance is anything to go by, this has emerged as a good year for the commercial vehicle manufacturers.

With the commercial vehicle exports reaching an all time high of 17,000 in 2003-2004, this reflects a 40 per cent growth over the modest base as compared to the previous year.

With brisk government investment in infrastructure, particularly national highways, and relatively easier availability of finance in semi-urban areas and the use of India as an exports hub, this segment is expected to spur the industry, according to the event organisers.

Apart from commercial vehicle manufacturers, several service providers and accessories manufacturers particularly gunning for the commercial vehicles pie showcased their products ranging from interior decorations, and seating arrangements.

Range of offerings from Eicher stable, Swaraj Mazda, Piaggio, Tempo Traveller among others were lined up with accessories.

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