World Famous Auto Shows

The Auto Expo has been the glittering showcase of the Indian automobile and auto-component industry for the last 18 years. Each Auto Expo has revealed to the world, the rapid developments in the industry and has been the launching-pad for many new vehicles as well as new technology components.

The neat layouts of the show provides ample opportunity to the consumers of vehicles to see the latest offerings in the market as well as to the business visitor to carry out networking in a highly enabled environment. The Auto Expo is therefore not only a networking ground, but also a place to find business partners and strategic alliances for manufacturing, outsourcing, sub-contracting, design and development as well as direct marketing.

Auto Expo is renowned not only for the hardware exhibition but also for the opportunity to interact, learn and share know-how with the brains behind them. The conferences and seminars draw the best industrialists, technocrats and policy makers of the auto industry from around the globe. A number of International Conferences are planned during Auto Expo 2006.

The AutoExpo is organized by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers Auto Component Manufacturers' Association and the Confederation of Indian Industry. The Expo drew more than a thousand participants from automakers to suppliers to parts makers, with China alone setting up sixty booths. Organizers expect financial transactions to reach over a $100 million.

"The response is enormous and we expect that business deals, valued around $55 million in the 2004 edition, will cross $100 million (this year),'' stated a senior Confederation official.

Organised jointly by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Auto Expo is slated to be bigger than ever before.

The Indian Auto Industry has come of age. The presence of leading global auto manufacturers; consistent growth in annual turnover and significant contribution to the Government through direct and indirect taxes have made the Indian auto industry, today a major driver of economic growth in India. Asia's Largest Automotive Show, Auto Expo has played a major role in the whole process. Over the years Auto Expo has proved to be a very effective event for facilitating the coming together of auto majors from around the world in a focussed fashion, under one roof.

Over the years Auto Expo has proved to be a very effective event for facilitating the coming together of auto majors from around the world in a focussed fashion, under one roof.

Auto Expo plays a crucial role for India because the Auto Industry in India has come of age and the presence of leading global auto manufacturers; consistent growth in annual turnover and significant contribution to the Government through direct and indirect taxes have made the Indian auto industry, today a major driver of economic growth in India.

India is becoming more and more important for the international automotive industry. Germany has long standing activities in India. OEMs have built up capacities and are building up new ones. German suppliers already operate with more than 50 production sites.

At the Auto Expo, India’s largest and most important event for automobiles and automotive, major automobile manufacturers throughout the world will be presenting new models.

New Delhi auto expo 2010 was expected as the largest in the world

The New York Auto show in April, with 1.2 million visitors, came the closest to matching this record. The third most frequented automobile extravaganza is the Shanghai Auto Show with 600,000 visitors.

In 2009, 30 large auto shows were held around the world. Most of these were in the US, Europe and China. None matched the expected visitors for the 2010 Auto Expo.

“The 2010 Auto Expo was bigger, brighter and better than the previous shows. The growing number of visitors indicates the rising importance of India as a key automobile destination,” says Pawan Goenka, president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) and President, Mahindra & Mahindra.

The Auto Expo is jointly organised by CII, Siam and the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India.

“The New Delhi Auto Expo is held only for seven days, while the New York Auto Show is open for 10 days and the Shanghai Auto Show is spread over nine days. The New York Auto Expo attracts a large crowd because the show venue is located in the heart of New York City’s 34th and 39th Street intersections, which are busy locations. Besides, the show is also promoted as a significant tourist attraction, while Delhi Auto Expo’s Pragati Maidan does not enjoy this benefit,” says one industry executive.

There are three reasons for the big draw. For one, India is a fast-growing market for cars and two-wheelers. Compared with China’s 27 cars per 1,000 citizens, India has only seven car owners per 1,000 citizens. “Delhi’s Auto Expo event is the bellwether for the automobile industry. Both domestic and global companies can showcase products to the largest potential audience,” says Venu Srinivasan, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and CMD of TVS Motor.

Two, the 2010 edition holds immense significance for global vehicle manufacturers, since India and China were the fastest to recover from the financial crisis that swept the world last year. Car sales in the domestic market from April-November this year grew 21 per cent, while sales of medium and large trucks and buses in the same period dipped by barely 2.4 per cent. Much of the key markets in the US and Europe are still in the negative and yet to witness a recovery.

Three, global car and truck majors who skipped this year’s key events like the Tokyo Motor Show are lining up to showcase their products at the capital’s Auto Expo. “There could be multiple reasons as to why companies avoided participating in the global auto shows. One reason could be cost-cutting. For many of these global vehicle manufacturers, India is yet a virgin market and showcasing a concept model gives tremendous mileage. Component manufacturers benefit greatly from events like these,” says Mohit Arora, senior director, Singapore based JD Power & Associates.

Honda Brio

Honda yesterday lifted the wraps off its small car Brio designed for emerging markets India, China and Thailand. Last year the Brio was previewed as a concept car at the Thailand Motor Show while the fundamental design concept was shown at the Auto Expo in New Delhi last year.

The Brio employs a 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine borrowed from the Honda Jazz, which generates 90 horsepower and an average fuel consumption of 5 liters/100 km while complying to the Euro 4 emission standards. The engine is mated either to a manual five-speed gearbox or a CVT transmission.

Safety conscious Thailand gets two front airbags, disc brakes, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) as part of the standard kit.

Honda will sell the Brio in India at a starting price of under 5 lakh rupees.

Indian Tradition becoming glam

Although western fashion is in the air but still Indians have not forgotten their culture and tradition as it has become a benchmark in Tellywood and Bollywood industry.

The sequins work of sherwani with precious stones in golden shaded antique fabric has made a fashion statement for ongoing wedding season. In this wedding season GOC i.e. Gaurav Chhabra And Company has captured the essence of Indian culture by primarily focusing on the design element and the quality as this traditional designing group is famous for its quality workmanship. Striking opulence, magnificent detail and lavish embellishment are the features that make GOC’s collection scintillating.

The main pillar behind this collection is our famous traditional designer Gaurav Chhabra. Gaurav celebrates the glory of ethnicity with his Men’s Collection. At a very young age Gaurav found his interest in sketching which ultimately led to his passion for designing clothes (prêt and couture lines), which have been retailing at leading stores in Delhi since the year 1992.

Backed with years of experience and a strong foundation of custom tailored garments, he launched the label ‘GOC’ in the year 1999.He had to literally start from scratch, when I started my work we were just two of us and there were only two sewing machines at our disposal. As time went by more people joined and today we have a big team, says Chhabra, a graduate from the J.D Institute of Fashion Technology.

Gaurav participated in THE INDIA FASHION WEEK at Taj Palace Hotel by Ritu Beri Fashion Fraternity where his work was immensely appreciated and he was presented SIYARAM DESIGNER 97 AWARD for the “Best All-rounder Designer”.

Besides specializing in Wedding attire, he has also designed uniforms for renowned automobile companies like Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Maruti Udyog Limited for the Auto Expo in the capital. His label GOC has emerged as a one stop design house for weddings, especially for NRI clients, for it provides them varied range of designs to choose from for any occasion.

Today, GOC retails from twenty stores across the country, including Simaya, Millionaire, Jade Blue, Options, Telon, Origins and Meena Bazaar to name a few. His creations are also available internationally in UK, USA, Canada and Dubai. As Gaurav says, “I am trying to make my base strong in India, ten years down the line, I would like to see my clothes retailed all over the world.” Chhabra concedes that how one carry an outfit is the make or break factor. “Even a dress with very good fabric will not look good if you do not carry it the way it should be. So for me, it’s the most important thing.

Since Gaurav specializes in Men’s formal wear, he has participated in leading wedding exhibitions like Bride & Groom and Vivaaha, to showcase his work to his target clientele.  GOC has exclusively designed sherwanis in two forms i.e. band galas and classic jackets with antique embroidery on sleeves and shoulders. The fabrics used in this are tanchoi silk, banarsis, silk blends, brocade, jamavar and kinkhab which is being highly appreciated by handsome bride grooms. Chhabra’s wedding collection is priced between Rs.20, 000 and Rs.3 lakhs.

TVS launches new Apache with anti-lock gear to prevent skidding

India's third-largest two-wheeler maker TVS Motor on Friday launched a motorbike model that would make skidding and slipping not an accident, but an act of dare-devilry.  The motorcycle, a variant of the existing 180-cc Apache RTR, comes with anti-lock braking system (ABS), hitherto used in passenger cars and high-end imported mobikes. ABS is a technology that prevents wheel locking that happens during hard braking, thus minimising the risk of skidding. At Rs 78,880 (ex-showroom Delhi), it is almost Rs 10,000 dearer than a non ABS Apache, but by far the smallest and cheapest mobike to get the technology in the world.

"ABS technology prevents skidding and assists effective braking, especially in wet and muddy roads while providing for shorter cornering," said HS Goindi, president, marketing, TVS Motor. "We have tested this vehicle comprehensively at speeds of 120 kmph on wet roads and can say with some authority that falling off from this mobike will not be that easy. Unless one intends to."

The technology has been developed by component maker Continental's chasis and safety division in collaboration with TVS. The latter had first showcased the mobike during the New Delhi Auto Expo last year.

"ABS for motorcycles is a decisive step towards evolution of safety to such a level that no serious accidents happen on the road," said Murali Srinivasan, general manager, Continental.

Is Honda Brio coming next month?

The Japanese auto giant Honda has advanced the launch of its much anticipated small car Brio by as much as six months in India. The unconfirmed media reports in the country claim that Honda has decided to roll-out its small car Honda Brio in India in March 2011, one month ahead of its arch rival Toyota’s upcoming hatchback Etios Liva that is scheduled to be launched in the month of April 2011.

Recently a person close to the advertising industry, had said in a statement given to ET that Honda will roll-out its small car Brio in the Indian market on 17th of March. However, the company spokesman was quoted as saying in recent media reports, “we do not want to comment on this at the moment.’

It is to be mentioned here that Honda Brio is the first budget small car from Honda's portfolio in the Indian market. The car was showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo in January 2010. The new Brio model is expected to be rolled-out in the country with a price tag of Rs 4 to 5 lakh where it will be competing with the likes of Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo, Chevrolet Beat and upcoming Toyota Etios Liva.

Pixel – Tata’s new small-sized concept car

Don't get all excited yet Ratan Tata says -- it's just an idea -- but last week his company introduced a concept car for the most "package efficient" four-seater in the world at the 81st Geneva Motor Show.

The Tata Pixel, a cousin of the innovative Rs 100,000 Tata Nano, is just over three meters in length and has a turning circle radius of just under that amount.

"There is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, maneuverability and environment-friendliness. The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motors' idea of what such a car should be," says Carl-Peter Forster, managing director and group CEO of Tata Motors.

When the Hindustan Times asked Forster's boss, Ratan Tata, if the Pixel could meet the demands of Indian consumers, he said, "It may."

Indian auto blogs reckon the Pixel may feature in New Delhi's Auto Expo in 2012 and transform into a production model between the Tata Nano V2 which is due for launch this year and the Tata Indica Vista.

India's 'jeepney' – Rickshaw has a meter

NEW DELHI – It is getting late, and Suredr Kumar parked his auto-rickshaw in one of the entrances to the Indian Fort, trying his luck on any of the hundreds of locals and foreigners visiting one of the popular tourist spots here before he calls it a day.

“I earn 400 rupees (equivalent to roughly P400) a day; somehow, it is enough for my family,” said Kumar in a local dialect translated by local interpreter Om Parkash.

Kumar, 40, is just one of millions of Indian drivers of auto-rickshaw, a three-wheeled vehicle equivalent to the tricycle in the Philippines but whose popularity is similar to that of the Pinoy jeepney.

So popular that its presence is strongly felt in almost all of the roads of India, including major thoroughfares, with its yellow-on-top and green-below color.

“It is a very popular means of transportation here in New Delhi, and even in the whole India because the fare is cheap,” said Parkash.

Cheap indeed for the Indians, but unlike in the Philippines where passengers are charged individually, the rickshaw has a meter with a flagdown rate of 19 rupees and 6.50 rupees for every succeeding kilometer.

The rickshaw has a maximum of three passengers and Parkash said it is normal practice for the passengers to divide the final fare among themselves.

But outside New Delhi on the way to Agra, it will be noticed that three more passengers are accommodated at the back of rickshaw, much like the local Pinoy word “sabit.”

The meter is located at the back of the driver facing the passenger, a very good measure to prevent the drivers from tinkering with it to jack up the fare illegally, or in other words, cheating the passengers like the way some taxi drivers do in the Philippines.

What he likes about the rickshaw, Kumar said, is its maneuverability, especially in crowded areas, and during heavy traffic in busy roads.

The only problem that rickshaw drivers confront is that they are not allowed  to transport people to some fancy hotels in this city.

Parkash said all auto rickshaws in New Delhi are CNG-fed (Compressed Natural Gas) as mandated by the law, which, he said, was crafted and implemented to reduce pollution in India’s capital.

The green in the theme color of rickshaws, he said, is a sign that they are eco-friendly.

Auto rickshaw is also locally referred to as “tuktuk,” a word popularized by some foreigners which refers to the same vehicle used in Thailand.

But it was learned that the rickshaw is also being used as vehicles for hire in some parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and even in some parts of Europe.

Kumar is lucky that he owns the rickshaw he is driving, since he no longer has to worry over the daily rent (like the boundary system in the Philippines) to the operators, which most rickshaw drivers here do.

The rent depends on how much the owners would charge, aside from the daily CNG consumption amounting to 100 rupees.

Parkash said rickshaw is locally manufactured in India, with some financial institutions helping local residents buy one through affordable loan systems.

And it works since not only it is used as for-hire vehicle, but is also equally helpful for family use and even in the transport of some small local goods to the public market.

Meanwhile in another part of the Indian capital, businessman M. Yusoph Lone is excited again. The 31st Indian Handicrafts Gifts Fair (IHFG) has just opened and he is hoping that he could strike a deal again with foreign buyers of shawls.

“We have been participating on this event because it gives us an exposure in the international market. It is in this place where we meet with foreign businessmen and export some of our products that they would in turn sell in their respective countries,” said Lone while he was tending his stall at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida here.

For a small trader like him, Lone has to grab this twice-a-year opportunity to meet more clients abroad, to convince them to order his products that would eventually expand his market at the international level, aside from those in Japan, some parts of Europe and Japan which he has already been supplying with shawls.

Lone is actually one of the 2,300 exhibitors of the four-day fair of more than 900 handicrafts products from all of the 28 states of India, all of them have the same objective of luring foreign buyers to try their products.

The biannual Handicrafts and Gifts Fair is the marketing strategy started by the Indian government in 1994 not only to maximize the exposure of the Indian craftsmanship globally but also to boost the export of handicrafts products that would eventually help millions of Indian artisans, mostly women and economically-deprived people.

And it worked because from the US$ 307 million generated in 1986-1987 period, the export of handicrafts has already ballooned to a whopping US$1.8 billion in the 2009-2010 period.