AUTO EXPO 2002

- Asia's largest automotive show

Asia's largest launchpad for cars will grind to a halt soon, after a week of showcasing what India has to offer to the world and what the world has to offer to India in terms of automobiles. Started in 1986, the auto expo was repositioned as a biennial event in 1996 and is Asia's largest automotive show, with over 900 Companies including 23 automobile manufacturers participating.

International auto majors from 19 countries – China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, UK and USA - unveiled their future plans.

The 6th Auto Expo, held at Pragati Maidan, Delhi, is a showcase of new launches, vehicles, technology, components and a whole new set of business opportunities, the focus being on the challenges of the new millennium, namely environment-friendly, safe fuel-efficient vehicles and most importantly the auto component industry.

Apart from all the major players like Daimler Chrysler, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, BMW and Mercedes flexing their muscles, other players like Fiat, Skoda, Telco, Hindustan Motors, Eicher, Ashok Leyland and the Maini Group had impressive displays too. Conspicuous by their absence were big players like Maruthi and Bajaj.

The biggest crowd pullers, undoubtedly, were the German giants - BMW and Mercedes - with their sleek 7series and the SL convertibles, sedans and M class SUV's all set to hit the Indian market.

The Fiat stall was not far behind. On display was Michael Schumacher's Formula One Ferrari, specially flown in by Fiat. One of the largest and most happening stalls this year, they had on display the different versions of the Palio - the station wagon version - the Palio Weekend, the crossover - Adventure, the recently launched Sport and the S10.

The swanky new S10, named after the best batsman in the world, Sachin Tendulkar, had none other than the little man personally autographing the limited 500 edition cars across the hood!

Telco unveiled its sedan version of the Indica, its petrol Safari and an attractive version of their flagship - the Indica Sport.

Toyota, apart from promoting its new petrol Qualis, treated visitors to a glimpse of the Prado and the spanking new 2002 Camry, a best seller in the US.

Volkswagon owned, Skoda, had on display the Octavia, which has already been launched in India, and the Fabia.due to be launched in June.

Hindustan Motors launched its new look Ambassador with slanting Porsche-like headlamps, and a shorter boot.

Among the little ones, were Goa-made convertible, the San Storm and Maini's golf-cart-like electric car, Reva, zipping around on test drives.

There were bikes too - motor bikes and scooters - Hero Honda, Nagakawa, LML, TVS, Kinetic and Yamaha.

An interesting feature adding to the glitz and glamour this year was the Vintage and Classic Cars Rally and the static display right through the show, not to mention the two-legged beauties that adorned most stalls.