The much-awaited Auto Expo 2014, at two separate venues, turned out to be a successful show, and perhaps one could call it a ‘massive hit’ as well. The ‘split’ helped direct the general public to the Motor Show at Greater Noida, besides ensuring decongestion at the Component Show at Pragati Maidan.
The Motor Show, held at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, over 40 km away from the city, was an international spectacle wooing a record number of 5,61,000 visitors during the seven days from February 5 to 11, with the first two days open exclusive for the media and special invitees. With most of the major vehicle manufacturers across segments – two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles – present in full splendor, the string of new launches managed to raise sentiments to a great extent amidst the free fall in sales volumes the industry has been witnessing for the last many quarters.
On the CV side, the numero uno Tata Motors demonstrated its market dominance by unveiling a line-up of interesting new models – a Prima CX 1618.T with a narrower cab than the usual Prima cab, the LPS 4923 with LiftAxle and the Prima 4032.S LNG variant, both first-of-its-kind in the industry. On the bus side, it showcased the Starbus Urban FE – Parallel Hybrid Bus and the Starbus Urban 9/18 FE – Articulated Bus.
Ashok Leyland showcased its entire range, including the recently-launched Captain HCV and BOSS ICV and the two new products from the AL-Nissan JV – the Partner LCV and the Mitr LCV bus. A tipper variant of the DOST and a premium version the passenger carrier STile were also on display at the AL pavilion.
VECV took the opportunity to showcase the entire range of its impressive PRO Series vehicles. Mahindra Trucks and Buses, exhibiting as part of the Mahindra pavilion which had vehicles practically in every segment from two- and three-wheelers to heavy commercial vehicles, launched the Traco 49 tractor-trailer and the Truxo 37 multi-axle haulage truck. SML Isuzu brought three vehicles to the show– the Super 12.9 XM truck, the S7 XM 31-seater midi bus and a first time display of the Isuzu NHR SCV.
Scania made its Auto Expo debut with the launch of its fleet management services and also made a world premiere of the P410 mining truck with a 20 cu.m. tipper body. The Swedish powerhouse also displayed the R500 6×4, with a top-of-the-line V8 engine, the G410 truck and the increasingly popular Metrolink coach.
The show also witnessed the entry of the established component maker JBM into the bus segment with its low-floor city bus, the ‘Citylife’. Apart from vehicle makers, it had participation from companies like MRF Tyres and Shriram Automall, leader in the vehicle resale market, who preferred being closer to their OEM customers.
Overall, the Motor Show provided a good platform for the launch of new products and for the OEMs to demonstrate their value-propositions, strengths and technology capabilities to customers, amidst the current gloomy industry environment, since the long-term prospects are practically bright.
“Only relevant visitors”
While a list of top names from the component industry had pulled out of the Auto Expo owing to the split, the Component Show at Pragati Maidan, from February 6 to 9, turned out to be a runaway success with quality business visitors thronging the stalls and pavilions looking out for orders, collaborations, discussions and more. “We have seen only relevant business visitors come to our stall and the response has been excellent”, was a statement echoed by most participants at the show. The best part of the split was the fact that since the general public was routed to Greater Noida for the Motor Show, the Component Show could focus on relevant B2B meetings and discussions with the top management, including the component sourcing in-charges, from most vehicle OEMs not only visiting the show but also spending ample meeting the suppliers.
The show saw participation from the reputed names in the auto component industry, particularly the big three from the South – TVS, Rane and Amalgamations.
Hall 6 was particularly packed with leading Tier-I suppliers, including the Anand Group, Eaton, Shriram Pistons and Rings, Sigma Group, Varroc, CK Birla Group companies – Avtec, NBC Bearings and Neosym, RSB, Texspin Bearings and Talbros Group, among other well-known names such as Federal Mogul, BorgWarner, Denso, Setco, York, KKTC, GGB Bearings, in other halls. Apart from a separate hanger for the garage equipment sector, the show had exclusive country pavilions for Germany, China and Taiwan, as also a separate international pavilion.
Broadly speaking, the Component Show proved to be a huge success, considering the footfall of business visitors and the kind of products and technologies unveiled and showcased during the four days. The industry slowdown is expected to continue at least till after the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, but the time, effort and money invested by participants at the show is sure to bear fruit once the market picks up and the trade is back to normal.