Northern firms bet big on Auto Expo

As many as 138 companies from Punjab and Haryana, a majority of them being auto component manufacturers, are participating in the 9th Auto Expo, which is scheduled during January 10-17, 2008, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. It is being jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) the and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).

Some of the major companies participating from Punjab are International Tractors Ltd (maker of Sonalika brand tractor), Swaraj Mazda, Standard Combines, GNA axles, Gurunanak Autos, Gillard Electronics etc. Similarly, from Haryana Apollo Tyres, Sono Koyo Steering, Suzuki Motorcycles, Hero Honda Motorcycles, Hi-tech gears etc are participating.

Partap K Aggarwal, chairman, CII Chandigarh State Council said, "We are overwhelmed by the response from the north region companies especially from Punjab and Haryana. From across the country, 799 companies are participating and overall we are likely to witness more than 2,000 participants including international participation against 1,200 exhibitors in the 8th Auto Expo in 2006 and expect over one million visitors. For the first time, the 9th Auto Expo will provide focused sector pavilions such as accessories and car decor, diesel city, garage equipment, robotics and automation and infrotronics pavilion. In addition to the state pavilions, this auto show also has 10 extra hangers to accommodate excessive bookings."

The eight-day event is expected to see about 30 new vehicle models, including the much-hyped Rs one lakh car from Tata Motors, concept car A-Star and Splash of Maruti-Suzuki, sports utility vehicle Touareg of Volkswagen and compact car Jazz from Honda among others, which will hit the Indian roads soon.

Besides, big investment announcements from both domestic and global players, introduction of hybrid and alternative fuel technologies and battery-operated vehicles would be among other attractions of the mega event.