Auto Expo 2014 ends

The biennial event records 69 launches and unveilings, compared with 47 in the previous edition

The week-long Auto Expo 2014 came to a close on Tuesday. This year, the biennial event recorded 69 launches and unveilings, compared with 47 in the previous edition.

However, at 561,000, the number of overall visitors fell, compared with 750,000 in Auto Expo 2012. The mega show is considered one of the biggest auto shows in Asia. 

Through last weekend, about 276,000 visitors attended the event, according to data provided by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), one of the organisers of the event. Siam had expected 70,000-75,000 visitors a day.

One of the primary reasons behind the fall in the number of visitors this year was the divide between the Auto Expo and the Component Expo. Traditionally, the two events are merged and held at the same venue. This year, however, the Auto Expo was shifted to the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, while the Component Expo continued to be held at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

 

Owing to space constraints at Pragati Maidan and the addition of about half a dozen brands this year, Siam was forced to shift the Auto Expo to Greater Noida. The venue in Greater Noida is about 50 km from New Delhi.

Auto Expo 2014’s total exhibition area was about 48,000 sq metres, compared with 39,000 sq metres at Pragati Maidan in 2012.  

This year’s Auto Expo saw 23 cars and sports utility vehicle (SUV) exhibitors, 14 two- and three-wheeler exhibitors, 10 commercial vehicle exhibitors and six electric vehicle exhibitors. The unveilings and launches included those of 26 global cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers.