Auto Expo 2018 is not only about showcasing futuristic vehicles and electrification of the auto industry, but also some corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaigns, involving celebrities.

However, according to various sources, such activities had to be brought in because there were not much ‘Big’ shows to bring footfalls to the expo. In this six-day event, maximum crowd is expected in the weekend.

“There are more concepts than launches this year and some of the visitors like to see ‘real’ cars/ bikes which are sure to be in the markets, and not the ones which are just for displays and unlikely to come with the real shape on the road,” said one of the industry veterans.

Celebrities weekend

For example, a bike enthusiast requesting anonymity said he will skip this year’s Expo because one — it is too far — and secondly, not much to see. And, planning to go on a weekend will be a completely ‘No’ because some celebrities like Akshay Kumar will come on Sunday and there will be a crowd only for that.

“It makes no sense as I won’t be able to see the products properly because of the security reasons for such celebrities, way before their real show, and at the end crowd will be pulling each other. I will rather go their showrooms and query if anything is coming in the near future,” he added.

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) on Friday organised a unique ‘ PehniKya? ’ flash mob to create awareness about seat belt use. The flash mobs will be held till the end of the expo on February 14.

The company has partnered with ‘The Danceworx’, led by famous choreographer Ashley Lobo, for a signature dance routine to be performed to the song.

The celebrities come on the weekends as the footfalls are more on such days and when they gather at a pavilion, the sea of people help the companies to spread their message.

For instance, Honda Two Wheelers India will be announcing their new road safety campaign on Saturday in which Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu will be demonstrating some road measures.

Swach cans

Similarly, Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) had brought Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan to launch 'Swachh Can', a portable bin for all Hyundai cars under its new CSR Pillar for India - ‘Swachh Move’ supporting the nationwide campaign Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.

“We recently conducted a survey of car owners and found 98 per cent respondents deeply care about cleanliness of outside infrastructure such as streets, roads and more than 95 per cent respondents favoured they would prefer a portable covered bin inside the car in which waste items could be conveniently disposed-off,” said YK Koo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HMIL.

This led the company to another innovation of ‘Swachh Can’ and as part of the campaign, the entire Hyundai product line-up will come with factory-fitted Swachh Cans starting from March 1, he said.

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