Auto Expo 2010 New Delhi – what to expect

Gear up! We have around 7 months to go for the 2010 Auto Expo. Time for a curtain-raiser, we think. After all, the last Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi was a major hit – thanks to the high profile launch of the world’s cheapest car, the Tata Nano.

We at DWS Auto India also saw some of the highest traffic days ever on this site during the 2008 Auto Expo. Nano was not the only attraction, though. That was when we saw the prototypes of the Yamaha FZ-16 which was launched later to rule Indian roads. The Tata Xenon was introduced to us there. Even Cadillac’s display got a fair amount of attention. And that is just a few of the participants and products.

This time around too, the Auto Expo is expected to open up to the automotive world a handful of  developments and many an auto launch.

The 2010 Auto Expo too will host launches from many an Indian auto maker, as well as global brands. The exact dates are not finalised yet; we hope to get some info on that soon.

Many believe that the 2008 Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan was where the Auto Expo finally came of age. Helped in large measure by the hype surrounding the Tata Nano, no doubt. Indian media was there in full force, and not to mention the world media, who went back a much chastised lot.

Over the last couple of months, a few companies have said that certain models would possibly be introduced during the Auto Expo 2010.

Skoda’s new cars for the 2010 Auto Expo

International brand Skoda is looking at the forthcoming Auto Expo and is planning to make it a platform to showcase its Yeti. The Skoda Yeti will be assembled as CKD at Skoda’s Aurangabad plant. The car maker had launched its Fabia in 2008, the last time the Expo was held in Delhi. Yeti will come with the same suspension, brakes and transmission as in the Skoda Fabia. While engine choice will range from 1.6 to 2.0-litre petrols and include the VW Group’s 1.9-litre turbodiesel, the Yeti is also being said to be readied with a diesel engine sourced from Octavia. The car maker hopes the Yeti will fight it out with the Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari and soon to be launched Tata Motors’ IndiCruz.

Bajaj Auto-KTM motorcycles for 2010

On the two wheeler front too, the 2010 Auto Expo seems to have generated interest. Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM, in which the Pune-based Bajaj Auto upped its stake to 32 per cent in March this year, said last week that it will introduce a 125cc street bike which will also hopefully be displayed at the 10th Auto Expo in in January 2010. The bike will go on sale in Europe and India simultaneously, during the first quarter of 2010.

The company had been facing plummeting sales and reduced profitability of late and hence the company is planning to scale back its production. It is being said that KTM is also working on developing various other kind of vehicles that are aimed at sustainable mobility in the future. These would a battery-powered off-road bike and a Nano-like small car.

While there is still a long way off for the Auto Expo 2010, you can expect the usual participants from industries such as components, auto electrics, accessories, oil and lubricants, tyre companies, and AV solutions.

Expect all Indian car and motorcycle manufacturers to showcase their prestigious international models, concept vehicles and upcoming cars and bikes. The 2010 Auto Expo will likely continue on the path set by the 2008 Auto Expo – to be an automobile exhibition for Asia with a clear focus on small cars for the developing markets.