'DNA' WheelOCity Auto Expo floors it

The parking lot of Center One Mall, Vashi became a hotspot for car talk last weekend with DNA WheelOCity Auto Expo. Spread over two days, the event witnessed a sea of car enthusiasts, potential buyers, automobile companies and dealerships. With buyers and sellers interacting under one roof in the peak of the automobile sale season of March, the expo saw a massive turnout.

After it was inaugurated by KU Rao, CEO, Diligent Media Corporation, on Saturday afternoon, DNA WheelOCity Auto Expo saw model and fashion choreographer Nisha Harale Bedi shop for a compact car as a birthday present for herself, and she admitted to being spoilt for choice!

Car manufacturers and dealers like BMW, Renault, Hyundai, Toyota, Tata Motors, Fiat, Honda, Chevrolet and Ford were present at the expo to woo customers with their offering right from premium cars to utility and compact vehicles. The USP of the expo was the variety of vehicles on offer which would suit all ranges of budgets and tastes. More than targeting sales, brand promotion and awareness were the primary objectives so that consumers could make a well-informed choice. "The auto expo is a boon because I've come in with my wife to choose the family car for Gudi Padwa and we can choose from the wide range of brands on display. Comparing different models across the brands within our set budget has given us a better idea about what we want," said LN Sarode, a visitor at the expo.

SUVs, green technology and fuel efficient vehicles stole the show and drew in crowds, in addition to the good bargains offered by many dealers. Honda's newly launched Brio City, the revamped Tata Nano, with better safety features, and the Hyundai i20 generated a lot of interest as these stalls were crowded throughout.

Leading car brands were confident of converting the first time enquiries into sales. "I am overwhelmed with the enthusiastic consumer response. This also gives us an idea as to where we stand vis-à-vis our competition," said Hemlata Rankhambe, Sr Customer Advisor, Fortune Cars Pvt Ltd representing Tata Motors.

Eager customers flocked in to zero in on their choice of car. Pleased by the personal attention, attractive pricing and the freedom to explore different cars at close quarters, the customers made a beeline at various stalls. "The auto expo provides a unique platform that enables us to make a thorough survey and a wise choice. I am here to purchase a compact car for my wife and a car for myself," said Vipul Raichand, a potential buyer at the expo.

With an opportunity for dealers and customers to be in direct contact, the WheelOCity Auto Expo ended up being a win-win situation.