Auto Expo to act as launch pad for startups

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 15

The bi-annual Auto Expo show, scheduled to be held in Noida from February 7 to 12, will also act as a ‘launching pad’ for startups besides witnessing over 50 new launches from automakers. Notwithstanding competition from established players, over a dozen startups will showcase their futuristic technology products focusing on green mobility.

Devot Motors, Jitendra EV Tech, Kabira Mobility LLP, M2GO and Okinawa Autotech are among the major participants at the show. A majority of them are into electric scooters, motorcycles and e-rickshaws.

“The expo will focus on clean, safe, electric, hybrid and connected vehicles. We are anticipating over 50 new launches where China's Great Wall Motor Company and First Automotive Works (FAW) will make their debut along with MG Motors India. Besides existing players, there are around 20 startups participating in the show which will showcase their vehicles besides electric mobility solutions,” said Sanjeev Handa, co-chairman, SIAM Trade Fair Group and vice-president, corporate communications, Maruti Suzuki India.

Electric motorcycle manufacturer, Devot Motors, would launch electric bike during the show. Similarly, Jitendra New EV Tech would showcase e-rickshaws (both passenger & cargo) along with electric scooters. Another new player, M2GO, would showcase electric scooters. Besides startups, the expo will witness launch of electric vehicles from established players.

Apart from the startups, there will be several technology companies which will showcase their products and services connected to the automobile industry.

In the past few years, electric vehicles have caught the attention of the government and a large number of potential customers are looking for greener mobility amid rising environmental pollution. Already, Hero Electric is one of the prominent players in the segment. Yesterday, Bajaj Auto forayed into the electric scooter segment by launching Chetak at Rs 1 lakh. TVS Motor Company is also in advanced stage of developing its electric two-wheelers.

Elaborating further, Handa said, “The automobile sector has lined up over 50 new launches in the passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle and two-wheeler segment. The expo would also showcase the future of mobility in the country. Many of these new launches are expected to be upgraded models with BS-VI compliant engines, as the country is shifting to BS-VI emission norms from April 2020.” The 2020 edition of the Auto Expo is being jointly organised by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), CII and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The expo will also bank on the potential of social media platforms to reach out to masses. The SIAM claims, this is the first auto show in the world where Facebook has collaborated on a largescale. As part of the tie-up, Facebook will host live streaming of launches, town hall discussions and other events on its platform and Instagram.

Of late, telecom operators have also entered the automobile segment to provide connectivity to internet-enabled cars and Jio will showcase embedded SIM technology during the show.