Delhi Auto Expo 2012 : The countdown begins

That this year’s Delhi Auto Expo to be held from January 7 to January 11 will be bigger than its previous editions can be gauged by the number of participants – nearly 1,500 from 24 countries. A massive surge in exhibitors from abroad apart from a strong Indian presence has resulted in the venue, comprising 16 halls, 10 hangars and outdoor space, being completely booked out. In fact, so acute is the space crunch that officials were forced to turn down several auto manufacturers and component makers. Further, it has also restricted the number of visitors to 1 lakh a day.  

This year’s Expo would witness 50 new launches - the largest the event has ever seen - comprising cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. Of these, 32 will be just cars – with 24 domestic launches and 8 global. Nine new two-wheelers will be launched of which 8 will be domestic launches and one global. The rest will be in the commercial vehicles and the ‘others’ category.

These were some of the revelations made by members of the organising committee at the recent Delhi Auto Expo curtain raiser. Addressing media personnel were Rajive Kaul, Chairman, Steering Committee, Auto Expo 2012, S.Sandilya, President SIAM, Vikram Kirloskar, Vice-President SIAM and Arvind Kapur, President, ACMA. 

The theme of this year’s Expo is “Mobility for All.” Going by the number of launches planned, it does seem that the bi-annual event will live up to its theme. Leading the charge are several international carmakers, who are upbeat despite the current lull in the market.The participants at this year's show come from countries like Germany, China, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the UK - the forerunners in the automotive industry. 

Exhibitors from the auto component industry will also have a strong presence at this year’s Expo. Here, too, a surge in international component manufacturers will be seen including those from Belarus, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and UAE, making it truly “India’s global automotive show,” said Arvind Kapur.

There would be focused pavilions for accessories, audio, alternate fuels, gas technologies, design, IT diesel equipment and the ‘asli-naqli’ pavilion, which will aim to make visitors aware about the disadvantages and dangers of using fake vehicle parts. “Like in the past, the 11th Auto Expo will also showcase future vehicles that will be launched in the Indian market during the coming months and years, and it is hoped that the event will be a harbinger of revival of the industry in the new year,” concluded Vikram Kirloskar, VP, SIAM.

The Expo will also focus India as a champion of green mobility with a focus on alternative fuels, electric and hybrid vehicles, etc. As in the previous edition, the first day of the show (January 5) would be observed as Goodwill day, where media personnel aside, the gates would also be thrown open to the physically challenged. 

Organised by the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII) in association with Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturer (SIAM) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the Auto Expo is the only auto show to be accredited by Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA).