India’s biennial auto show, which was to be held this month but was postponed due to the second wave of Covid, will now happen next year in January.
The dates for the show — January 11-18, 2023 — were finalised keeping in mind the global auto motor show calendar, several people in the know said. Usually, the week-long event is held in February.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), which is one of the organisers, was unavailable for comment.
The 2020 auto show was held just before the first wave of the pandemic struck the country. The 2022 edition was deferred due to uncertainties stemming from the third wave.
Globally, the Geneva Motor Show was cancelled for three years in a row, from 2020 to 2022, while the Tokyo Motor Show was cancelled for the first time in 67 years in 2021, amid the pandemic. The Paris Motor Show is scheduled to return in 2022 after four years.
Experts say a strong tailwind in the marketplace, inability of automakers to participate in a major event in the country over the last three years and heightened excitement around electric vehicles would likely make the 2023 show a successful event.
The platform is usually seen as an opportunity to showcase concepts and new technologies. With increased excitement for EVs and quick adoption of new-age connectivity and advanced driver-assistance systems, the upcoming edition may see a lot of new participants, especially on the EV front, people in the know said.
Over time, a number of participants have decided to drop out of the event and the previous edition witnessed most of the two-wheeler and commercial vehicle makers giving the show a miss on account of high cost of participation and a falling automotive market. The show, however, was resurrected by some new players like Great Wall Motor, Haima Automobile, MG Motor and the VW Group, even as the event was overshadowed by fear of Covid-19, which limited the number of Chinese visitors.
Much like previous editions, in the upcoming edition, the top five car makers are expected to drive the excitement with the biggest floor space, a new range of products and new-age powertrain technologies.
Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2022 was scheduled for February 2-9 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. But with the rising cases and uncertainties around covid, a majority of the big participants were hesitant to go ahead with the event. Industry body SIAM in a statement in August 2021 said: “Safety of exhibitors, visitors and all stakeholders involved and present at the Expo is the topmost priority for SIAM.”
The 2020 show, the 15th edition, was held February 7-12. Over 100 exhibitors participated in the show where more than 100 products were unveiled. More than 600,000 people visited the show.
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