Delhi Auto Expo may lose its punch in Greater Noida avatar

Auto Expo, the biennial showpiece event of the domestic automobile industry, will be held next year at a new date and venue that promises more space but fewer crowds than in the previous editions.

Rechristened 'Motor Show' after the organisers decided to split the original show into two, the event will be held at Greater Noida, some 50 kilometres from its traditional venue at Pragati Maidan in central Delhi. It has also been postponed by a month to February and will be bigger in terms of space but smaller in the number of footfalls.

Sugato Sen, deputy director general, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) said that the number of exhibitors too would go up from 35 to 41.

Some of the new participants include premium cruiser bike maker DSK Hyosung, Japanese SUV manufacturer Isuzu and Chrysler. Notable absentees include LML, Kinetic and Hindustan Motors.

The Expo is also set to lose its clout as one of the world's largest automotive events in terms of footfalls, but organisers claim it would be a glitch free and a better managed show as compared with previous editions. The number of visitors is expected to be less than 500,000, over 30% less than in 2012 and less than half of 2010.

"We are still searching for a venue for the future as we want to have the motor show and component show together. It is a chance we are taking this time," said Vikram Kirloskar, president, Siam.

The motor show will be held in New Delhi in 2014 from February 5 -11, while the component show will continue to be at Pragati Maidan from February 6-9.

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