Ever heard of mass leave? That’s exactly the situation at the Auto Expo-The Motor Show 2023 that is happening after three years in India. The biennial show got cancelled in 2022 because of the Covid pandemic. The show will be held in Greater Noida (UP) from January 13 to 18, 2023. January 11 and 12 will be exclusive media days.
Barring a few leading automobile manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (including Lexus), Morris Garages, Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor India, Kia, BYD India, Ashok Leyland, Switch Mobility, VE Commercial Vehicles, JBM Group and SML Isuzu, a very large number of car and truck manufactures is missing this time around at the trade and expo centre in Greater Noida.
Almost every single two wheeler manufacturer worth its name is missing from the list of participants. The list of absentees is huge. Big ticket four wheeler players like Mahindra & Mahindra, the Volkswagen Group comprising popular brands like Skoda, Audi and Volkswagen (Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche seldom participate in shows), Honda Cars India, Renault-Nissan, Stellantis India (Jeep/ FCA India), BMW / MINI India, Mercedes-Benz India, Volvo Cars India, Isuzu Motors, Force Motors, Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi have given the show a pass.
Popular two wheeler brands that have given a miss to this prestigious show include the likes of Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, India Kawasaki, India Yamaha, Mahindra Two wheelers, Piaggio Vehicles, Royal Enfield, Suzuki Motorcycles, Triumph Motorcycles and TVS Motor India. Electric two wheeler companies like Ather Energy and Okinawa Autotech too are not in the show.
Apart from established four wheeler manufacturers who are coming, others who have confirmed their presence include Atul Auto, Benelli, Devot Motors, Evtric, , Fujiyama, EBlu, Gravton, Greaves, Joy e-bikes (Wardwizard Innovations), Kross Bikes, Hexal, Jupiter, Keeway, Liber Mobility, LML, Matter, Moto Vault, MTA EV, Omega Seiki Mobility, Pravaig, Roots, Tork Motors and Ultraviolette.
Besides these companies, there will be other firms like India based design house Desmania, ASDC, Cummins, ICat, Natrax, MIT Institute of Design, Sun Mobility, among others. In fact, Desmania Design of India , Anyma Design and SPM Engineering of Italy have collaborated to bring out the new entity called Estro. This is one of its kind venture in India, where Desmania will endeavour to offer the Italian flavour and experience to the customers with an Indian eye.
Going by the prevailing trend, the show will be very electric centric, since the electric technology is the new focus for the automotive industry all over. But again, ICE vehicles would also share the podium with equal pomp.
HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA
It will be two pronged strategy for Hyundai Motor India at the Auto Expo. The company will be participating in the show physically as well as through its digital extension, popularly known as metaverse. The company announced the launch of Hyundai Pavilion on Metaverse space, Hyundai Mobility Adventure on Roblox platform. The Hyundai Pavilion on metaverse will go live along the commencement of the Auto Expo, 2023. The Hyundai Mobility Adventure is Hyundai’s immersive virtual city that will propel the users to experience the thrill of Web 3.0 with Hyundai’s five flagship models including Ioniq6, Ioniq5, Nexo, Tucson, Venue N Line, and enjoy musical events at Hyundai Spotlight.
The Hyundai Pavilion on Metaverse will introduce the much awaited all-electric SUV Hyundai Ioniq 5 for users to experience the unique features like pump-to-plug revolution and vehicle-to-load technology(V2L) showcasing future transformation of India’s automotive landscape. Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be company’s first all-electric SUV to be introduced on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), an innovative system exclusively developed for next-generation battery electric vehicles that will usher in a new era of clean mobility.
Hyundai Mobility Adventure is Hyundai’s immersive virtual city on the Roblox which has zones for users to experience future of mobility using technologies - which are intelligent, advanced and future ready that go beyond mobility.
TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR MOTOR
Toyota Kirloskar Motor is all set to be a part the mega event with its advanced technology and product line-up based on the concept of “The Thrill & Joy of moving together”. The exciting and distinctive displays are divided into three zones namely the Technology Zone, Emotional Zone and Environment Zone representing the overall concept and key sections of the stall.
On display at the Technology zone will include a 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. The Emotional Zone will showcase youth connect through a thrilling SUV line-up including modified vehicles to appeal to our younger customers and audience.
The Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Innova HyCross will be among the several vehicles on display here. The new Land Cruiser 300 is also expected to be on display at show.
Toyota will also be showing its Lexus cars at the expo. This will be for the first time the Lexus will be participating at the Auto Expo. The luxury brand from Toyota will showcase upgraded vehicles from its SUV stable. The RX and LC models will feature at the show.
ASHOK LEYLAND’S SWITCH MOBILITY
Switch Mobility, the EV arm of Ashok Leyland will be showcasing three new electric vehicles at Auto Expo 2023. The company will be unveiling a range of concept vehicles from the all-new IeV series catering to last mile and mid mile mobility applications, and a range of ultra-modern electric buses catering to special applications.
Switch will be part of the integrated stand with Ashok Leyland in Hall No. 12, Stall No. N15 at the Expo Grounds in Greater Noida. Apart from unveiling a range of concept vehicles from the all-new IeV series, catering to last mile and mid mile mobility applications and a new range of electric buses in the EiV series., the company will also have on display the Switch EiV 22, India’s first electric double decker. Designed, developed and manufactured in India, utilising Switch’s global electric bus experience, Switch EiV 22 is equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features. Ashok Leyland is also expected to showcase its new age, new technology products at the show.
OMEGA SEIKI MOBILTY
This aggressive company is on an electric overdrive. Led by Uday Narang, this company is expected to showcase several innovative electric products. As of now they have the Rage electric cargo three wheeler, Stream electric passenger three wheeler, besides an electric scooter and an electric commercial four wheeler that goes by the name of M1KA. All these will be on display at the show but there will be surprises galore. Sources said that the company will be showcasing a range of electric three wheelers, four wheelers and some urban two wheelers too. The company’s forte in batter swapping and battery management too would be one display at the show.
GREAVES ELECTRIC MOBILITY
Greaves Electric Mobility Private Limited (GEMPL), the e-mobility business of Greaves Cotton Limited, has revealed the design inspiration for its upcoming electric 2 and 3 wheelers, poised for unveiling at Auto Expo 2023. Greaves’ upcoming EV product portfolio draws its inspiration from the ‘Arctic Tern’, the graceful & most enduring bird that migrates an average annual round-trip length of 60,000 miles a year - that’s twice the circumference of the earth.
The key highlights of the design include a sustainable spirit that stems from the angular large wings, with pointed tips that help the Tern hover in the air as well as glide through the skies fluidly. This has inspired GEMPL to bring together a seamless amalgamation of super-efficient design, with sustainable technologies, and creating products that lead to zero emissions.
JUPITER ELECTRIC MOBILITY
Jupiter Wagons Ltd. (JWL), a prominent manufacturer of wagons, brake systems and brake discs for high-speed passenger coaches, and railway and engineering equipment will be showcasing and launching its commercial electric vehicles at the Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2023. Earlier this year JWL announced their foray into the EV segment with the launch of ‘Jupiter Electric Mobility’ focusing on commercial EVs.
The EV arm of JWL has formed a joint venture with GreenPower Motors a publicly-listed firm based in the United States and Canada specialising in ECVs (Electric Commercial Vehicles) in the passenger and freight transport markets. The commercial electric vehicles will be in the LCV & MCV category in the 2.2 to the 7-tonne range. Jupiter Electric Mobility plans to undertake end-to-end production in India and establish service facilities in key markets to expand to after-sales requirements for a seamless customer experience.
ESTRO BY DESMANIA
Estro by Desmania, is a brand new space for Mobility Design with a formidable legacy of decades of experience, intellect and talent. Desmania Design of India , Anyma Design and SPM Engineering of Italy have collaborated to bring out the new entity called Estro. This is one of its kind venture in India, where Desmania will endeavour to offer the Italian flavour and experience to the customers with an Indian eye.
With a collective experience of decades, Estro will be a one stop shop for start-ups, corporates, PSUs and government bodies to leverage the European expertise in design blended with the socio-cultural needs of India.
Estro leadership comprises of designers who have created a deep impact in their own areas of design. Their contribution has been recognised and awarded by the industry across the globe. They include Lorenzo Naddei who holds a BSc in Transportation Design from the “Istituto Superiore di Scienza dell'Automobile in Modena” (ISSAM), Anuj Prasad, an alumnus of NID and the co-founder of Desmania, Alberto Sartor, Managing Director of SPM Engineering S.r.L and also a tech entrepreneur, and Carlo Bonzanigo holds a BSc in Transportation Design from the Art Center College of Design and an MSc in Mechanical Engineering (specializing in aeronautics) from ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.