Small and green cars to be flavour of 10th Auto Expo

The 10th Auto Expo will open here tomorrow with over ten global launches and previews of small and green cars by the likes of Honda and Toyota during the week-long event -- billed as the world's biggest in terms of footfall.

"The Indian auto expo has been gaining stature with international original equipment manufacturers will be launching their global models as they do in other auto shows in the world," Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) president Pawan Goenka told reporters here today.

He said over ten global launches and a total 50 new launches, which includes variants of different existing models, will be held during the expo.

Companies like Honda and Toyota are expected to launch global concept of their compact cars, while the expo will also see automobile companies showcasing their green technologies.

Earlier last month, SIAM director general Dilip Chenoy had stated the expo will "possibly be the largest in terms of footfalls", and it could be the third biggest after Frankfurt and Shanghai in terms of participants.

"This will be the largest show ever held at Pragati maidan and the largest auto expo ever held in India," Auto Expo Steering Committee chairman Rajive Kaul said.

A total of 2,105 participants, including 800 from overseas, will be taking part in the expo showcasing their products in 1.25 lakh sq mt of area that is expected to attract nearly 20 lakh visitors. 

Around 18 lakh people are expected to visit the expo this year, which has been shortened by two days compared to the previous one held in 2008, in the face of global slowdown.

"... we are reducing the duration of the expo by two days. This has been done on feedback from participants and members, and it is for cutting expenditure due to economic condition," Kaul had said last month.

While the Tata Nano was the star attraction of the last auto expo, this time the company will be launching four new models in different vehicle categories.

Maruti Suzuki India will launch its new multi-purpose vehicle Eeco. Volkswagen will introduce much-awaited Polo in the Indian market.