Auto Expo 2023 is here – Pragati Maidan|Delhi|Component show

The Auto Expo 2023 - Components exhibition will see participation of 800 plus companies across domestic and seven international pavilions. The expo is likely to witness more than 115,000 visitors across the four days of the event.

The biennial automotive show is back!

The biennial automotive show – Auto Expo 2023 – is back with its focus on ‘Technovation’ and ‘Future of Mobility’ after the event was cancelled last year due to apprehension arising out of the COVID-19 situation. While The Motor Show is showcasing the future of mobility through electric concepts and alternate fuel-based vehicles, the Components show is themed on ‘Technovation – Global Platform for Future Technologies and Innovation’ and is focused on outlining its prowess in auto components manufacturing.

With India poised to grow from three to 32 trillion-dollar economy by 2047, the automobile industry is extremely crucial for its economy and manufacturing sector. For this, the vision is to create a strong ecosystem where the industry can thrive and necessitate adequate investment in R&D, skilled manpower, technological advancements. The industry is critical in making India a five-trillion-dollar economy and to achieve the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Within the next five years, the government is looking at making the auto industry touch a market size of 15 lakh crore with more focus on quality, innovation and safety.

Among the automobile manufacturers exhibiting at the expo, Maruti Suzuki is all set to unveil its range of all-new SUVs, futuristic Concept EV, Hybrid, flex-fuel prototype and other products. Its display will feature an array of 16 vehicles including an electric concept SUV, two all-new SUVs, WagonR Flex Fuel prototype and its customised range of existing products like Grand Vitara, XL6, Ciaz, Ertiga, Brezza, Baleno, and Swift among others.

Speaking about its display at the expo, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Auto Expo 2023 is yet another opportunity for us to showcase our commitment towards the future of mobility through our range of sustainable & technology drivenproducts. Our showcases at the exhibition will highlight Maruti Suzuki’s commitment towards cleaner, greener, sustainable and carbon neutral offerings for tomorrow. We are confident that our range of all-new SUVs, futuristic Concept EV, Hybrid, flex-fuel prototype and products will capture the imagination of enthusiasts.”

Similarly, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will display its range of Self Charging Strong Hybrid Electric vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, Flexi Fuel Hybrid Electric Vehicle and Electric Vehicles representing wide range of green technology line-up. Also on display will be the Hydrogen concept technology.

Mr Atul Sood, Associate V-P, Sales, and Strategic Marketing, TKM, said, “With over two million happy customers, our focus in India continues to be the introduction of technologically advanced products that are safer and greener. Achieving carbon neutrality has been one of our biggest challenges and the fight against carbon will require multiple technology pathways and our latest offerings are another step in that direction.”

On the other hand, the auto components industry has been instrumental in streamlining the regular supply of quality components to the OEMs through innovative manufacturing and technology infusion. The industry reported growth of 34.8 per cent to INR 2.65 lakh crore (USD 33.8 billion) in first-half of 2022-23. In the same period, exports grew by 8.6 per cent to USD 10.1 billion while imports went up by 17.2 per cent to USD 10.1 billion.

According to Mr Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA, “With vehicle sales and exports gaining traction, month-on-month, the auto component industry demonstrated a growth of 34.8 percent. Steady growth was witnessed in all segments – supply to OEMs, exports as also the aftermarket. The aftermarket, estimated at INR 42,007 crore also witnessed a growth of 8 percent. Component sales to OEMs in the domestic market grew by 46 percent to INR 2.23 lakh crore.”

Sharing his insights on the industry’s performance, Mr Sunjay Kapur, President, ACMA and Chairman, Sona Comstar, said, “With growth in consumption of EVs, we are witnessing fast transformation of the auto components sector to be an integral part of the EV manufacturing supply chain. The components industry is making steady investments as also acquiring technology companies.”

As for the EV opportunities in India, the number of charging stations in the country is expected to reach four-lakh by 2026. This would make it easier for the auto component industry to take advantage of the EV opportunity and expertise in EV components manufacturing, thus helping India on a global scale.

Among the component manufacturers exhibiting at the expo, Uno Minda Ltd will showcase its range of electric two and three-wheeler components. Commenting on it, Mr Nirmal K. Minda, CMD, Uno Minda Ltd said, “Looking forward in the year of 2023, automation and electrification are going to be the ultimate game-changers. Our core strategy for developing solutions and components will be PACE- P is for personalization, A is for Automation, C is for Connected and E is for electrification. We are also aggressively working on electric two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment.”

“Government’s policy support and incentives towards EV segment will pave way for many milestones in the Indian automotive sector. The Auto Expo (Components) provides a collaborative platform for networking, and participants are eager to leverage this opportunity after two years. With the swift expansion of EV sector, numerous startups and established businesses are setting impressive standards. The Components show is going to be the perfect stage to witness the scalability and scope that the industry will be offering its stakeholders and ancillaries in the future. We are also showcasing our PACE product line, along with the products from our recent JVs with international companies,” Mr Minda added.

The Auto Expo 2023 – Components exhibition will see participation of 800 plus companies across domestic and seven international pavilions. The expo is likely to witness more than 115,000 visitors across the four days of the event. Other prominent exhibitors include JUMPS Auto Industries, Horizon Industrial Products Pvt. Ltd., Hella India Lighting, Kalyani Forge, Jyoti Rubber Industries, Neolite ZKW Lightings, NRB Bearings, Steelbird International, Stork Rubber Products etc.

Apart from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, other vehicle manufacturers participating in The Motor Show include Tata Motors, Hyundai, MG Motor India, Kia, BYD, Tork Motors, VECV, Ashok Leyland, Benelli, EVTRIC, Greaves Electric etc.