Auto Expo scheduled to return to New Delhi in 2025 after a ten-year hiatus

Auto Expo, after a decade-long absence, is slated to return to New Delhi in 2025. This marks a significant homecoming for the premier automotive event, promising excitement and innovation as it reconvenes in the capital city after its prolonged hiatus.

The Auto Expo is scheduled to make its comeback to the national capital in 2025, following a ten-year absence.

Next year, India's premier biennial motor show will be held in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan under the Bharat Mobility umbrella, marking a return to the capital after ten years. The exhibition had been relocated to Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in 2014.

The government is considering expanding the range of the exhibition to encompass additional facets of 'modern mobility' within the transportation sector, such as railways and motorways, in forthcoming editions of the show beyond 2025, according to two individuals familiar with the discussions who spoke to Mint on the condition of anonymity.

‍A ticketed event attracting retail footfall

‍Under the Bharat Mobility initiative, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) will host the consumer-oriented motor show, usually a ticketed event drawing retail visitors at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan. Concurrently, the global components expo will be managed by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka. Completing the trio, a construction equipment expo in Greater Noida, potentially led by the Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (ICEMA), will round off the series of events.

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo, initially organized by the Ministry of Commerce's Engineering Export Promotion Council of India (EEPC) along with automotive industry bodies SIAM and ACMA among others in its inaugural edition this February, will broaden its scope to encompass three venues next year, running from January 17 to January 22. This expansion aims to establish the event as a larger global mobility showcase in India.

The process of initiating roadshows to attract international buyers for the auto components show will commence shortly. Meanwhile, the construction equipment expo is anticipated to draw interest from builders, developers, urban planners, and other relevant stakeholders, as indicated by the aforementioned sources speaking to Mint.

A government official emphasized the interconnectedness of various sectors such as construction, auto components, and finished vehicles. The overarching goal is to consolidate the entire value chain within India, illustrating the ambition to integrate and bolster these sectors comprehensively.

During its inaugural edition in February of this year, the Bharat Mobility Global Expo attracted over 1.5 lakh visitors, according to the official. Indian automobile manufacturers, suppliers, and participants from related sectors such as batteries, charging, steel, and tires converged at Bharat Mandapam for the event. Despite the success, some participants expressed reservations about the annual frequency of the show compared to the traditional biennial schedule of the Auto Expo. They cited the longer time required for supplier ecosystems to develop new technologies. Many attendees hoped that future editions of the show would provide advance notice, allowing for better planning, especially considering its more cost-effective structure compared to the Auto Expo, which tends to focus on product launches and incurs higher expenses for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) renting larger spaces.

Major auto OEMs like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra participated in the Expo by setting up pavilions. However, except for Mercedes Benz, which showcased its EQG concept, none introduced new products, leading to limited retail interest among end-consumers. Notably, electric vehicle maker VinFast, expected to be a significant attraction, decided not to participate. Despite these challenges, the first edition of the Expo was organized within a short span of two months.

The relocation of the motor show to New Delhi is anticipated to generate significantly greater interest, with expectations of a stronger pace of new launches. This surge in interest coincides with a wave of new electric vehicle launches by major Indian and foreign OEMs targeting the domestic market, further enhancing the excitement surrounding the event.

The participation of the Society of Indian Electric Vehicle Manufacturers (SMEV) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) will further enrich the event, bringing together expertise from the electric vehicle sector as well as software and service industries.

Source: livemint