Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Sharmistha Mukherjee in New Delhi
Rising from a slowdown continuing for the past several quarters, Indian automobile makers are set to launch a record number of vehicles at the 12th edition of the Auto Expo from February 5.
As many as 75 passenger cars, utility vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles are scheduled for introduction next month, a jump from the 47 vehicles showcased and launched at the 11th edition in January last year.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: Jaguar C-X75 concept car on display in Paris, France.Photographs: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
With 11 models — seven from Tata Motors and four from JLR - the Tata group will be launching the highest number of vehicles.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Photographs: Courtesy, BMW
German luxury car maker BMW will showcase four models (including those under the Mini brand), while Maruti Suzuki is expected to unveil three hatchback and sedans in total.
Among commercial vehicle makers, VE Commercial Vehicles is set to display nine products of the recently unveiled Eicher Pro range, developed with Volvo.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: Grand Cherokee.Chrysler’s Grand Cherokee
Overall, 47 companies will participate in the expo this year, making it the largest auto show ever hosted on the subcontinent, with 23 makers of passenger cars and utility vehicles, 14 of two-wheelers, 10 of commercial vehicles and six of electric vehicles. Last year, 35 auto makers had participated.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: Datsun Go MPV.Photographs: Courtesy, Indonesia International Motor Show
Among those making their first appearance in the country are Datsun (the recently resurrected brand for emerging markets from Nissan), Italian bike maker Moto Morini, DSK Hyosung and Japan’s Isuzu Motors.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: Honda's MPV MobilioPhotographs: Courtesy, Indonesia International Motor Show
Indians will have their maiden tryst with Honda’s MPV Mobilio, Chrysler’s Grand Cherokee (the sports utility vehicle that heralds the brand’s entry into the country), Datsun’s MPV Go +, a compact SUV from Mercedes GLA and Korando C from the stable of Mahindra & Mahindra’s South Korean subsidiary Ssangyong.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: Santa FeAlso slugging it out for attention will be Korean giant Hyundai, which will showcase the new Santa Fe, and Renault, which will introduce the Lodgy (an multi-purpose vehicle).
The long list of SUVs and MPVs, however, does not mean there will be nothing for the small-car buyer.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: YL7 small carPhotographs: Courtesy, Suzuki
One of the more interesting global launches is expected from Maruti Suzuki, which will introduce a new technology for automatic manual transmission (AMT) in the YL7 small car (expected to be named Celerio).
The technology would enable the driver to change gears without using the clutch. AMT, unlike automatic transmission variants, would not reduce fuel efficiency.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Image: SX4 crossoverPhotographs: Courtesy, Suzuki Motor Corporation
The Japanese auto maker is additionally likely to display the YL1 (a replacement for the SX4, the not-very-popular sedan), the SX4 crossover and a largish concept SUV (code-named iV4) at the Auto Expo.
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What to expect from India's biggest auto show
Photographs: Courtesy, Ford
According to industry sources, US-based Ford is also likely to display the KA small car, which it unveiled in Brazil earlier this year.
KA is expected to have one-litre and 1.5-litre petrol versions, at attractive prices. At present, Ford’s entry-level car in the country, the Figo, is priced at around Rs 4 lakh.
Fiat, too, is expected to join the bandwagon in the hatchback segment with its 1.4-litre Abarth.
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