Auto Expo 2016, which ended on Tuesday, has showcased India’s manufacturing strength and technological capabilities, says industry body SIAM.
The Expo received more than six lakh footfalls over the past week. “With over 108 new products being launched and unveiled and over 6,01,914 footfalls over the last one week, we believe this Expo will strengthen the belief of our manufacturers in the Indian automotive industry,” said Vishnu Mathur, Director General, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
Auto Expo 2014 received 5.61 lakh footfalls, said SIAM.
The biennial show of the Indian automotive industry, held at Greater Noida, showcased products such as alternate fuel technologies in not only smaller vehicles, but also in buses and trucks.
The event also saw discussions on future regulations on fuel technology, road safety and transport, including alternative ways of transporting the vehicles — especially inland waterways.
The show had 65 manufacturers exhibiting products from across the globe. The exposition was jointly organised by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and SIAM.
While the focus of the Expo was on the vehicles displayed, street plays, puppet shows and laser shows showcasing the importance of road safety were also appreciated by the visitors, said the organisers.
Stunt shows and superbike riders also added an element of panache to the show, they said, adding that the vintage car segment was a huge draw and had auto enthusiasts thronging the Hall.
“The section on automobilia and the Bollywood zone became a must-see area for auto enthusiasts. The graffiti competition highlighting the fight against counterfeit parts, and the launch of Asliman, the anti-counterfeit mascot, were added attractions,” said an official.
Adding a touch of glamour were celebrities such as Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Alia Bhatt and Taapsee Pannu. The cricketing fraternity, too, had its fair share of stars in Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Piyush Chawla and former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath.
Former Manchester United player Louis Saha also participated in the event.