The grand biennial Auto Expo held in New Delhi, the capital of India, is a much awaited event by automobile enthusiasts as well as all those associated with this industry directly and indirectly. It serves two basic purposes. First, it exhibits a mind-bogglingly vast range of new generation vehicles and state-of-the-art automobile components and ancillaries each time.
Second, the Auto Expo also plays a prominent role in bringing together under one canopy the best brains and names not only from the Indian automobile industry but many global ones too, providing them opportunity to interact, learn, share the know-how and built contacts for probable future collaborations. This is made possible through the seminars and conferences that are held alongside the mammoth exhibition.
Auto Expo 2008 & Participating Companies
The Auto Expo 2008 is geared up to take this convention a step further by introducing newer automobile designs and models that will not take much time in hitting the roads. Like all the previous years since 1986, this time too Auto Expo 2008 will be organized jointly by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as well as Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
Anticipating to receive more than 1,200 exhibitor participation from 25 countries and over one million visitors, including 1,50,000 business visitors, the forthcoming Auto Expo 2008 is all ready to create history once again. The precedent, of course, was set by preceding shows that witnessed astounding footfalls and applause. Read on to know about participating companies, products to be displayed and other information.
Audi
An avid participator in the forthcoming Auto Expo, Audi plans to gradually launch Indian assembled cars. And this project will take off with the launch of the new A4 (compact executive car), which will flaunt turbocharged petrol 2000cc and a pressure-injection 2000cc diesel engine. Another enticement in the Audi booth at the auto expo will be their 2007 Le Mans winning R10 TDI.
BMW
The BMW will showcase a slew of swanky models at the impending auto expo 2008 as toast to the grand response it received in the country. BMW will have on display the brand new M3 coupe and 414 bhp V8 powerhouse. You can expect to see 3 Series coupe, convertibles, the new Mini as well as the Mini Clubman.
DaimlerChrysler India
The introduction of the new C-Class in India will be marked by the renaming of DaimlerChrysler India as Mercedes Benz India. Other attractions from this company at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2008 will be their current India range of the E, S and ML class as well as the SLK and even the CLS or CL sports coupes.
GM
That GM witnessed its best year in India will be underscored by the exhibition of two special models from its stable at the Auto Expo 2008. The first one will be the Captiva SUV, whereas the second could be another new small car, Beat concept. The Captiva is GM's luxury SUV, whereas the Beat is a concept that has been confirmed by GM for worldwide manufacture. The hatchback is expected to hit the Indian roads by 2008-end.
Hyundai
Santa Fe, the much awaited SUV from the Hyundai stable will be under direct arch light at the Auto Expo 2008. Its price may also be reveled at the event. Another highlight from Hyundai will be the newly launched i10, but with a new engine variant.
Mahindra & Mahindra
One can look forward to seeing the new MUV from Mahindra at the forthcoming Auto Expo 2008 rumored to be named Ingenio. It is leant that this car will be in the Scorpio level price range. But it is perhaps been modeled more to suit large families than those wanting a vehicle for adventure purpose.
Maruti Suzuki
Designed for the global market and to be launched in India during the latter half of 2008, the latest small car concept, A-Star will be introduced by Maruti Suzuki during the Expo 2008. It is said that this model will replace the Alto in India. And then there’s also Swift Sedan that the company is deliberating to unveil at the Expo.
Skoda
Fabia has been in news since quite some time and it seems that the wait is about to get over. The hatchback will be introduced into the playfield of Swifts, Getz' and U-VAs. The Fabia will be sold as a premium model in comparison to other hatchbacks in the country.
Tata-Fiat
The most talked about One Lakh car will be there at the Auto Expo venue from the Tata stable. The impressive launch of the people's car will happen on 10 January 2008. Apart from this, unveiling of revised versions of Indica, the Indigo and the Sumo will also be present. There will also be Fiat’s big small car, the Grande Punto and the mid-sized Linea on exhibit.
Volkswagen
One will see the Dakar winning SUV perched impressively on the dais in the VW camp. The Touareg, VW's deluxe but ultra capable SUV, will be Volkswagen's second offering for India and will go on sale in 2008. Its ‘Passat’ which’s already on sale in India and their future launch, the Jetta, will also be showcased at the Auto Expo 2008.
Bajaj
Since Bajaj has acquired 18.5 per cent share in KTM, one will surely see the trendy KTM official merchandise on exhibit. From their own house, the company will showcase two products- a 300 / 400cc motorcycle. Another product could be a scooter from the bajaj company.
Hero Honda
Like always, this time too the Hero Honda company is hush hush about its products to be on displayed at the Expo 2008. The only thing the executive from this company reveled is that their stall will be full of ‘refreshed’ products.
Honda
Honda has to maintain its reputation of being secretive about its new products. So one will have to wait till the Expo to see what products this company will exhibit. On the basis of the hints received, one can say that they will launch a premium segment bike to indicate the course they will take the coming year. Maybe something more youthful and aggressive?
Royal Enfield
Even though the Royal Enfield did not have much of a presence in the previous Expos, one expects them to be around in 2008 with a motorcycle that will display their unit gearbox engine and their 500cc fuel-injected AVL engine.
Products to be Exhibited at Auto Expo 2008
Those visiting Auto Expo 2008 can see, buy or just gain information about the widest and most comprehensive range of products and services associated with the automotive industry. Here’s a list of the chief categories that will be displayed at the fair:
- Vehicles
- Automobile Components
- Auto Electricals
- Accessories
- Theme Pavilion
- IT for Auto Industry
- Garage & Workshop Equipments
- Oil & Lubricants
- Audio, Video
- Auto Electronics
- Navigation Systems
- Leasing/Financial Companies
- Insurance Companies
- Battery Operated Vehicles
- CAD/CAM Solutions
- CNG Units
- Coach Builders
- Design Vehicles
- Design Concepts.
Venue of Auto Expo 2008 - Pragati Maidan in New Delhi
Date - 10th January 2008 till 17th January 2008
Business Visitors Hours - 1000 Hrs to 1500 Hrs
General Visitors Hours - 1500 Hrs to 1900 Hrs
Special Weekends Timings
General Visitors Hours: 1000 Hrs to 1900 Hrs
