The biyearly crowd-puller is missing big names this year.
The economic slowdown has created a ripple effect that is refusing to die down. It has now come to hit one of the most anticipated and fascinating events of the automobile industry, the Delhi Auto Expo. The biyearly crowd-puller is missing big names such as Honda Cars, BMW, Hero MotoCorp and Ashok Leyland this year. While a lot of new models have been already launched or revealed online, underwhelming sales and disheartened manufacturers have just added to the sad state of affairs. The switch to BS6 norms, a sluggish market, only a handful of exciting product launches and the opportunity cost of participating in the event is keeping brands away.
However, on the flip side, hopeful debut companies such as Kia and MG Motor are attending the event. Shields up after the dieselgate, Volkswagen is returning with Skoda. China’s largest SUVs and pickup trucks manufacturer, Great Wall Motors is checking in too. The companies will spread out in 3500 sq ft sections each, equal to what is occupied by Maruti Suzuki. Quite stable on the sales charts with the new Venue, Grand i10 Nios and the Creta, Hyundai will be attending the Auto Expo too.
While Nissan is a conundrum, Ford and Fiat will give the event a miss. Mercedes- Benz and Lexus are the only participating luxury car manufacturers. More than 90% slots are usually booked by October for the Auto Expo, but this year SIAM is still trying to get companies to confirm attendance.
BMW will utilise the saved funds on targeted marketing and product launches as they have no major offering to showcase. Honda asserts that the company’s release schedule wasn’t in sync with the Auto Expo timeline.
It doesn’t end with the cars as the top 5, 2-wheeler manufacturers are unlikely to attend the event. Bajaj, TVS, Royal Enfield and Yamaha aren’t participating. Honda is deliberating while Suzuki and Piaggio will take part.
From the trucks, only Tata Motors and Mahindra are attending while Eicher and Bharat Benz aren’t.
The Auto Expo 2018 witnessed 119 exhibitors, 22 product launches, 81 product unveilings and 18 concepts along with 11 startups. 25 electric vehicles were on display to cash in the electric mobility wave. Last edition’s absentees were Audi, Ford, FCA, JLR, Nissan, Volkswagen, Bajaj Auto, Royal Enfield and Harley-Davidson.
Auto Expo 2020
– Taking place in February 2020
– Honda Cars, BMW, Hero MotoCorp, Ashok Leyland and Ford are giving it a miss
– Kia, MG Motor, Volkswagen, Skoda and Great Wall Motors are attending
Source – ETAuto.com
