Several models of electric vehicles, which had a record year in terms of sales in 2022, as well as CNG, ethanol and hydrogen-run vehicles will be on display at the event that starts January 13 in Greater Noida. The latest edition of India’s biennial auto show is happening after an extra year’s gap due to Covid-19.
Companies from Ampere Greaves Cotton and Tork Motors to Hero MotoCorp, TVS, BYD, Toyota Kirloskar and Maruti Suzuki will showcase their green and clean-fuel vehicles as well as technological developments, including on flex fuels, hydrogen and hybrids. The expo is expected to see the participation of a larger number of startups and display of wider powertrain technologies than earlier.
China’s BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle maker, will be at the Auto Expo for the first time, even as not many Chinese companies are expected in this edition due to visa issues. “We want to showcase our brand, technology and existing portfolio,” said Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, senior vice president for EV passenger vehicle business at BYD.
As part of its entry strategy for India, BYD had launched CVs and buses, and is now launching passenger vehicles promising a longer range than rival EVs.
Maruti Suzuki, the PV market leader, will unveil a global electric SUV concept at the auto show.
’80 Stakeholders to Participate’
The vehicle is expected to be launched around 2025.
“There should be a good traction at this expo, probably higher than 2020 when more than 600,000 people visited its (Maruti’s) pavilion,” said Maruti Suzuki senior executive director Shashank Srivastava. “We expect the thrust to be around sustainability and technology this year.”The automaker will be launching two SUVs at the expo this year.
“There will be five global launches and 75 unveils of products at this Auto Expo,” said Rajesh Menon, director-general of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, which is putting together the event. Around 80 industry stakeholders including 46 vehicle manufacturers will participate, he added.
For the Cummins Group, which makes diesel engines, a new focus area is decarbonising commercial transportation systems. “Our low- to zero-emission technologies, including hydrogen ICE (internal combustion engine), electric powertrains and hydrogen fuel cell will be showcased at the Auto Expo,” said managing director Ashwath Ram.
Sun Mobility chairman Chetan Maini said his company would launch a “future-proof” battery-swapping solution and “next-generation” battery packs at the auto show this month.
Greaves Electric Mobility plans to launch half a dozen new products aiming to expand its share in the electric two- and three-wheeler market, chief executive Sanjay Behl said.
