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6th Auto Expo 2002 begins on Jan 15

The Sixth Auto Expo 2002, to be held from the Jan 15 to Jan 22, is all set to showcase a gamut of new launches, new vehicles, new technology, new components and a whole new set of business opportunities.

Launched in 1986 and repositioned as a biennial event since 1996, Auto Expo is organised by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India, Confederation of Indian Industry and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and has since emerged as Asia's largest Automotive Show.

Addressing a press conference on Auto Expo 2002, R Seshasayee, president SIAM, said that the 6th Auto Expo 2002 would be spread over a huge area, and would comprise 15 pavilions, and over 900 companies, including 150 overseas exhibitors.

The Auto Expo will be inaugurated by Manohar Joshi, Minister of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises on January 15.

Brijmohan Lall, past president, CII and K Kejriwal, president ACMA, also addressed the press conference.

The show would witness international participation from 20 countries with 150 international exhibitors from China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK and the USA, said Srinivasan.

Global automobile majors include BMW, Fiat, Ford, Honda Motorcycles & Scooters, Hyundai Motor, Mercedes, Skoda, Toyota and Yamaha Motors - to name a few, he informed.

Indian auto majors like Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Tempo, Eicher, Hero Honda, Hero Puch, Hero Majestic, Hindustan Motors, Kinetic Engineering, LML Limited, Scooters India, TELCO, TVS Motor Company, etc. would be exhibiting at Auto Expo 2002 and would be unveiling their future plans, according to him.

Leading Auto Component & Accessories Manufacturers participating at Auto Expo 2002 include Amalgamation Group, Amtek Group, Clutch Auto, Delphi, Exide, Amara Raja Batteries, Escorts Mahale, Federal Mogul, GNA, Goodlas Nerolac, Lumax, Neolite, NRB, Pheonix Lamps,

Pricol, Rane Group, Remson Industries, Sona Koyo, Talwar Group, TVS Group, UCAL, Usha Shriram Piston, said Srinivasan.

The new vehicle launches at the 6th Auto Expo 2002 would include Ashok Leyland - luxury coaches; Asta motorcycles - Chinese motorcycles; BMW - M3, the new 7 series, X5, Z3 Roadster; Eicher - trucks, buses and bus chassis; Fiat India - Weekend, Palio Sport, Palio S 10 Alfa Romeo 166 Super; Ford India - Ranger Splash, Escape; Honda Motorcycles & Scooters - scooters - Froza, Silver Wing, Elysium; Hindustan Motors - new Ambassador, Pushpak, Deluxe RTV, Hyundai Motors - New Santro, Five Door Accent, Elantra, Matrix; Kinetic Engineering - Scooters - Nova, Designer Scooter, Zing, Bike - GF 150; Majestic Auto - Stallion ;Mercedes Benz - SLK, M Class, C Class (sports Coupe), CLK-Cabrio ; Scooters India - new electric vehicles; Skoda - Fabia; TELCO - sedan & estate version of Indica and Toyota - Camry, and new version Qualis, stated Srinivasan.

Seshasayee informed that a new initiative was in the form of a safety pavilion designed to address the larger issues related to safety and comfort. Special attention would also be given to the automobile industry's technology developments in combating spurious parts and inter-related issues, he added.

Auto Expo 2002 would also feature a special alternate fuel pavilion which would address environmental issues, he informed. This pavilion would focus on the automobile industry's technological strides in achieving a greener environment, eg. CNG run vehicles, battery operated vehicles, LNP fitted vehicles, converting kit manufacturers and other alternate fuel producers.

Another new feature was the Vintage and Classic Cars Rally held on January 13. Static display of these vehicles would also be available during the fair.

The SIAM president stated that the 5th Auto Enterprise 2002, a concurrent fair for small enterprises in the automotive sector, would present an ideal opportunity for small-scale manufacturers of auto components and ancillaries to promote their products among OEMs and other business visitors from India and overseas.

With the influx of automobile majors from across the globe into India, an enormous derived demand has emerged for state-of-the-art auto components.

This fair would be spread over a huge area and play a host to over 150 exhibitors. Exhibitors from the ancillary industry like auto electricals, batteries, security systems,

accessories, upholstery products, lubricants, testing & pollution control equipment, etc. are present.

As in the past, Auto Enterprise 2002 is being co-sponsored by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and will be a unique chance to build linkages with the small-scale industry.

Seminars & Workshops running concurrently with the Expo, will provide an opportunity to service the grey cells of the industry, said Srinivasan.

An international conference on world class manufacturing technologies in the automotive industry would focus on emission, environment, fuel efficiency, automotive electronics, vehicle structural design, transmission, latest trends in auto manufacturing and other related issues.

Another international conference on customer relations management would focus on CRM strategies, processes & solutions.

Auto Summit 2002 organised by FADA would address issues like leadership & motivation, expanding the market, managing change, opportunities in threats. a focussed workshop on high capacity bus systems would focus on international experience and issues, leveraging capital for implementation and operations, institutional structures and financing options.

The British High Commission would also be organising a seminar on 'Foresight Vehicles' with participation from Indian and British institutions. A seminar on 'Road Safety' would aim at chalking a roadmap for vehicles to provide a mechanism for bridging the gap between Indian and international regulations and to share international experience and learn about the road safety practices abroad.

Seshasayee stated that a conference on 'Asean & China: Automotive industry perspective, policy & areas of co-operation' focus on issues related to WTO and its implications on Chinese automotive industry; possible cooperation & opportunities between India & China; automotive industry in China - current status & future trends; ASEAN automotive components & vehicle industry - an overview on country markets; and ASEAN industrial cooperative scheme - its features and impact on the automotive industry'.

Steering into auto expo are business delegations, which are arriving from Canada, Iran, Pakistan, UK, USA and Uzbekistan. Business delegates from Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the UAE, the UK and the USA will be visiting the Expo.

K Kejriwal, president, ACMA in his address said that a number of component manufacturers are displaying new design and new technology components. Some component manufacturers are even launching new products like:

• New technology clutches.
• New range of bearings.
• Miniature pneumatic equipment.
• Self adjusting and flexible brake adjusters (the first of its kind).
• The latest in the world fully automatic transmissions for vehicles for heavy vehicles.
• New designs of instrument clusters for 4-wheelers as well as 2 wheelers.
• Automotive designs, bumpers, dashboards.
• Metal components made by radial flow forming technology which is the latest in the world.
• Cost-effective, hi-performance horns for 2-wheelers.
• LPG and CNG kits.

On the whole, the component industry would present their upgraded capability and strength in meeting the requirements of the global vehicle manufacturers operating in India as well for international customers at this show.
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