Saturday, December 26, 2009

Toyota and Honda are going to unveil concept small cars at the 10th Indian Auto Expo 2010

Despite cutting short by two days due to uncertain economic condition, Rajive Kaul, Chairman, Steering Committee for Auto Expo 2010, is expecting 1.8 million visitors at the expo this year. Dilip Chenoy, Director General, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) expected it to be the largest show in terms of footfalls. This year there will be 2100 participants from 30 different countries (in the official website it was 25).



International automakers will unveil ten new cars in the upcoming Indian Auto Expo. Since, small cars make up two-thirds of the total car sales in India, many concept small cars will be unveiled at the show. Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. will premiere, a concept version of its first small car for the Indian market. The car will sport a 1.2 litre gasoline engine and it will be launched in stores by the end of 2010. Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. will unveil its second concept small car model at the show which will be launched in 2011 (Times of India says 2012). Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., the largest automaker in India will showcase its 17 cars including its Kizashi Sedan. It will launch a new van named Eco at the show. It will also unveil its concept small multi-utility vehicle.

Chevrolet Beat by GM and Polo by Volkswage will be displayed at the show. The two cars will be launched in March 2010.



The show will also display electronic vehicles and focus on green auto technology. There will few hybrids and electronic cars at the show the famous Toyota Prius hybrid from Toyota. Honda will unveil its concept model hybrid, CR-Z Concept 2009. GM will unveil an electronic version of its Spark mini car that the company is building in collaboration with Reva Electric Car of Bangalore. Hyundai will also unveil the electric version of Hyundai i10.



The Indian auto Industry was not badly affected by the global recession. Following a four month decline, the auto sales started to pick up in February. In November 2009, it registered a 61% growth to 133,687 units which became the “largest percentage gain since February 2004.” Small cars makes up about two-thirds of annual car sales in India. By 2016, annual car sales would grow up to 3 million units per year in the country.



Related articles:

The Wall Street Journal

The Times of India