 "From tamasha to world class, Auto Expo travels a long road in two years")
New Delhi: We were the first ones to say this yesterday, now many are endorsing our view. This year, the Auto Expo is better organised and largely because the typical media day chaos was missing.
Anand Mahindra tweeted just now echoing our views. “Looks like the auto expo is happy in its new home.World class facilities and so far,world class ambience &management. Take a bow,SIAM,” Mahindra said.
Two things are clear this year at the Auto Expo. It is far better organised than the previous chapters though it has been broken into two halves. Or perhaps because it has been broken into two halves. The component show is being hosted miles away from Greater Noida, at Pragati Maidan in the heart of Delhi. This has made the Expo orderly, a bit like the global motor shows. Launches are sequenced as they should be, washrooms at the venue are clean and security is not ahindrancelike earlier times.
But niggling problems remain. Food is expensive and not there are not even half as many choices of cuisine as in previous Expos at Pragati Maidan (when component and vehicle makers were together). The venue itself is at least 35 km away from the heart of the Capital with no connectivity by public transport. SIAM has promised shuttle services from the nearest Metro station though.
All in all, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers seems to have finally learnt its lesson, after widespread criticism the last time by auto industry biggies like Anand Mahindra over poor organisation. Last year, Mahindra had termed it a “tamasha”.
The second thing about this Expo is that car makers are leaving nothing to chance, slowdown be damned. So launches are asflamboyantas ever, with music, dance and celebs. Bollywood celebrities Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and cricket legend Sachin Tendulakar were seen yesterday endorsing various car brands.Maybe, the flashing lights and enough song and dance will attract buyers, who knows? The last year has been the worst in a decade for Indian car sales so it is not surprising that vehicle makers are doing everything possible to make this a hot and happening Expo.