New Delhi :
India’s flagship automobile show, the Auto Expo, kicked off today as 51 new products made their debut, with Bollywood celebrities, including Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor, along with sportstars Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli adding to the glamour quotient.
Keeping with the theme of ‘mobility for all’, the expo opened with car market leader Maruti Suzuki unveiling its much-awaited compact SUV Vitara Brezza, while a host of hybrid and electric vehicles from different manufacturers represented technology of the future.
The show, jointly organised by SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers), ACMA (Automotive Components Manufacturers Association) and the Confederation of Indian Industry, will be opened for public from February 5-9.
“At the Auto Expo you will see a lot of vehicles, which are covering the underlying theme of mobility for all. At the same time, you will see a lot of electric and hybrid vehicles and many new launches,” SIAM President Vinod Dasari told PTI.
With the expo being held at a time when automobile companies have come under the scanner due to rising concern over pollution, Dasari said: “Auto industry has always been saying it (vehicles) should be safer, greener. Whatever are the norms, auto industry will meet and you will see the auto industry showcasing products which are far ahead of regulations.”
When it came to alternate fuel technology, Hero MotoCorp showcased its electric scooter concept Duet-E, while Mahindra GenZe, unveiled the GenZe 2.0, the first connected all-electric scooter.
Toyota displayed its range of hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, including the Mirai hydrogen car. German auto major VW showcased its plug in hybrid Passat GT and Hyundai displayed it fuel cell electric model Sonata FCEV.
The motor show 2016 began at the India Expo Mart here with the industry hoping that the new models will boost sales.
Apart from the Vitara Brezza, which is scheduled to hit the markets in the upcoming weeks, General Motors announced Chevrolet Essentia and Chevrolet Beat Active for India. Hyundai unveiled its SUV Tucson, while Honda Cars India took the cover off its SUV BR-V for the first time in India. Toyota Kirloskar Motor drove in its all-new Innova Crysta.
In the luxury segment, Tata Motors-owned JLR launched its all new Jaguar XE sports saloon priced at upto Rs 46.5 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while Audi launched the new R8 V10 Plus, which will have an ex-showroom price (Mumbai and Delhi) of Rs 2.47 crore.
BMW launched its new 7 Series with price ranging from Rs 1.11 crore to Rs 1.55 crore (ex-showroom Delhi) along with all-new X1 have priced between Rs 29.90 lakh and Rs 39.90 lakh.
On the other hand Mercedes-Benz unveiled its global SUV - GLC and S-Class Cabriolet along with premium luxury Maybach S 60 Guard at the 13th Auto Expo here.
German luxury auto major BMW India today launched its much-anticipated 7 Series and X1, produced at the company’s Chennai manufacturing unit.
The new BMW 7 Series is priced from Rs 1.11 crore to Rs 1.55 crore (ex-showroom Delhi) while the all new BMW X1 ranges between Rs 29.90 lakh and Rs 39.90 lakh.
Both the cars were launched by legendary cricketer and Member of Parliament Sachin Tendulkar at the 13th Auto Expo here today.
The luxury limousine and the premium compact sports activity vehicle are ready for orders at all BMW dealerships from today.
However, the deliveries of BMW X1 would start from April 2016, the company said.
The BMW 7 Series is available in two diesel variants which are locally produced. The limousine is also available in two petrol variants which have been imported as completely built-up unit (CBU). BMW X1 is available in diesel variant.
“BMW India will bring ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ in 2016 with power packed launches across our entire portfolio.
“Starting with the launch of the BMW 7 Series and the BMW X1 here at Auto Expo, we are poised to kick-off an exciting product offensive for the year,” BMW Group India President Philipp von Sahr said.
Referring to the domestic production of BMW 7 Series, he said that with the local production of the BMW 7 Series at the Chennai plant, “our commitment to ‘Make In India’ will continue successfully in future.”
German luxury car maker Audi today launched the new R8 V10 Plus, which will have an ex-showroom price (Mumbai and Delhi) of Rs 2.47 crore.
The firm also unveiled the Audi A8 L Security that it claims has been introduced with class VR 9 ballistic protection standard, considered the most stringent requirement of civilian high security sedans at the Auto Expo.
Besides, the car manufacturer also showcased the new Audi A4 among other vehicles adding that it will launch at least 10 new products in India this year.
“Audi India has demonstrated consistent growth in the past 8 years and we are extremely pleased with the response we have received in India. By 2020, Audi AG intends to expand its product range from the current model to 60 models,” Audi AG Head of Sales Overseas Terence Bryce Johnsson said here.
India is proving to be a “promising market” for the company, he added.
Audi India Head Joe King said: “We have kick started this year on an exciting note by launching the fastest production Audi ever—Audi R8 V10 Plus—here. We also launched the secure Audi A8 L Security as well as unveiling the most successful model the A4 for the first time in India.
“We will continue to provide the best to our customers in India and will launch at least 10 new products in 2016.”
Audi today also unveiled its two-door coupe Prologue, RS 7 Performance, A6 allroad, S3 Cabriolet, SQ5, Q7 and the TT Coupe.
Year 2016 will also see the kick start of Audi India’s year-long celebration to mark its completion of a decade in India, the company said.
“The journey of the first decade for Audi in India has been an exciting one. By bringing in the right product that the customer wants, a wide area network and after-sales service, profitable dealer partners and a strong customer connect, Audi has laid the foundation for the next decade of dynamic and profitable growth in India,” King said.
Going ahead, the firm will introduce products in new segments, with new body styles, design language and technology. Audi will also focus on strengthening its dealer network by introducing new customer touch points and innovative concepts like Audi Mobile Terminal which is already a success in tier II and III cities, he added.
