Auto Expo 2023: SUVs and EVs to come up
Delhi: The 16th edition of the Auto Expo is all set to kick off on 13th January at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. The first post-Covid auto expo will see the participation of 70 exhibitors, including 45 vehicle manufacturers from different segments.
Like the 2020 Auto Expo, this edition will see the participation of mass market Original Equipment Makers (OEMs) such as Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor, Kia, MG Motor, etc., which have decided to participate and showcase their product capabilities.
As many as 30 electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers spanning two-, three- and four-wheeler segments will showcase their product portfolios at the event. There will be serious focus on Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) too.
As per TechSci Research, there will be 14 SUV unveils or rollouts at the expo, of which 9 will be petrol-powered and six will be EVs.
While no participants were willing to share the model names, there is some buzz about models such as the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, Hyundai Casper and Ioniq 5 & 6, EV variants of Tata Motors’ Altroz and Punch, MG Air EV (5-door version), etc.
Maruti Suzuki has revealed that it will launch two SUVs for the Indian market at the expo. It will also unveil a concept e-SUV as part of a range of 16 vehicles it will display at the motor show.
A senior official of the company, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the Jimny will be one of the SUVs unveiled at the expo. Positioned as a lifestyle SUV, it is estimated to be priced somewhat above Rs 10 lakh, and will be taking on the Mahindra Thar (currently available in a 3-door version) and Force Gurkha. It is also speculated that Maruti Suzuki is planning to unveil an SUV based on the Baleno platform (Maruti YTB), though there is no official confirmation on that.
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is also preparing a wide range of new cars and SUVs for the Indian market. While there is a lot of buzz on the new Hyundai Verna, Ioniq 5 and 6 EVs, Kona and Creta facelifts, all eyes are on the Casper micro-SUV that will be taking on the Tata Punch. The product is being globally unveiled and was supposed to be rolled out in India.
Tata Motors is expected to unveil electric variants of the Altroz and Punch, Harrier and Safari facelifts, and the Avinya and Curvv concepts, at the expo. It has revealed plans for hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles on its social media platform.
The tight-lipped Tata Motors spokesperson said, “We confirm our participation in Expo. Apart from that we will not be able to confirm any speculation.”
SAIC-owned MG Motor India will be unveiling its Air EV at the expo. This is in addition to showcasing the Marvel R e-SUV and the MG4 EV at the event.
The MG Motor spokesperson said: “We will be displaying various cars. The model line-up to be showcased is still under discussion.”
Without sharing product details, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said that it is all set to showcase its ‘advanced technology’ and product line-up based on the theme of ‘The thrill and joy of moving together.’ The company said that its display area would be divided into three zones —the technology zone, the emotional zone, and the environment zone — representing the overall theme.
While the upcoming Auto Expo may see record exits by top brands, there are many new entrants this time around too.
For instance, BYD is participating for the first time and will be showcasing its already-launched Atto3 and EV6 models.
Toyota’s luxury car arm Lexus is also participating for the first time at the expo, and has so far only confirmed that it will be unveiling the new Lexus RX.
Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) has said that it will be showcasing its new electric passenger three-wheeler, the M1KA 1.0.
Greaves Electric Mobility, the EV arm of Greaves Cotton, has said that it would be introducing five new products across electric two- and three-wheelers at the upcoming show.
