New foreign players make a beeline for Auto Expo 2020

New foreign players dealing in automobiles, electric vehicles, connected technologies, alternate fuels and tyres from China, Italy and Brazil will have made a beeline for the upcoming Auto Expo 2020.

The interest shown by these companies can be gauged from the fact that the largest showcase areas have been booked by them at the event. This trend, many industry insiders believe, is a sign of their intent to use the expo as a launch pad into the Indian market.

"This Auto Expo is beyond just showcasing of vehicles and will also focus on the new paradigms of mobility like connected cars, electric cars, and alternative fuel," Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers Director General Rajesh Menon told IANS.

New automobile firms like the Chinese' Great Wall Motor, FAW Haima, Olectra and MG Motors will showcase a vast variety of cars, SUVs and buses.

Besides, Brazilain UNICA (Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association), one of the world's largest bioethanol producers, Italian tyre firm Pirelli and design company Icona will also mark their maiden presence at the expo.

Even the homegrown PSU major GAIL is participating to showcase its fuel technology.

Furthermore, Reliance Jio and FaceBook will also be present at the event along with 15 new technology start-ups.

Lately, telecom operators have entered the segment to provide connectivity to internet-enabled cars and Jio will be showcasing embedded SIM technology for the automobile sector.

Facebook will host a town hall discussion and will also be holding other events.

Additionally, the Expo 2020 will also feature more than 15 start-ups, which will showcase technology solutions focused on green mobility and services connected to the automobile industry.

Others such as Lithium-ion battery and charger manufacturers, along with tyre firms will also showcase their presence at the auto show.

The visitors to the event will witness 60 launches of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers.

Many of these launches are expected to be face-lifts of existing models with BS 6 compliant engines as the country is shifting to BS 6 from April 2020.

The healthy participation and launches assume significance as the sector has been battered by falling sales due to high goods and services tax (GST), farm distress, stagnant wages and liquidity constraints.

While some companies had to reduce production, dealers took inventory correction measures.

Besides, brands like Volkswagen, Skoda, Force Motors will make a return to the motor show.

The 15th edition of the expo, is being jointly organised by ACMA, CII and SIAM from February 7-12 for the general public, at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.