Auto Expo to unveil 70 new passenger vehicles

It will be the largest exhibition in country's automotive history

The 12th edition of the India Motor Show, scheduled between February 5 and 11, will see the unveiling of around 70 new passenger vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles making it the largest exhibition in India's automotive history. Of this, 26 are global unveilings.

As many as 55 vehicle manufacturers and 1,100 component suppliers are expected to participate in the show. To accommodate more participants, the display size at Greater Noida has been enhanced by 30 per cent to 60,000 sq mts.

The week-long event is expected to be a much more polished affair this time with the organisers — Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Confederation of Indian Industry and Auto Components Manufacturers Association  — taking several measures to ensure the event is comparable to global standards and is without the crowd mismanagement seen in the previous editions.

The number of visitors expected at the show will be lower this time, with the exhibition being open to the general public only for five days starting February 7. Organisers expect 550,000 general visitors this year, compared to 700,000 recorded in the 2012 edition.

The lower footfalls are largely on account of the Auto Expo being held in two parts. While the main motor show will be held at Greater Noida's Expo Mart, the auto components show will be held at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

"We expect better flow of people. Overall footfall will be less also because this time general visitors get only five days, as compared to seven days in the previous edition," said Vikram Kirloskar, president of Siam and vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Sugato Sen, deputy director-general of Siam, added: "We want the finesse of a global show. The cost difference is huge for us because of additional shuttle services, hiring of private security and completely air-conditioned halls, but we expect a much better experience."

At a time when sales are falling, the auto industry hopes the excitement around the Auto Expo will lift consumer sentiments. Passenger vehicle sales have declined by six per cent to around 1.8 million units in the first nine months of this financial year.