New Delhi: The first day of the biennial auto show witnessed a host of launches and unveilings from top manufacturers, domestic and international.
The day began with the unveiling of Maruti Suzuki’s striking Futuro-e concept and was followed by Renault’s current hit, the Triber AMT.
Tata Motors, in an elaborate set-up, took the patrons down the memory lane with the most-awaited stunning Sierra Electric Vehicle (EV) Concept and a Hexa Safari Edition. The HBX was also unveiled.
Tata Motors also launched the Harrier 2020 edition with a starting price of Rs 13.69 lakh for the manual version and Rs 16.25 lakh for the automatic version.
The Gravitas also grabbed eyeballs with the strong design language and is expected to be launched in early 2021. The recently-launched Altroz also made its EV debut.
Mahindra & Mahindra showcased a wide and varied range of its concept vehicles, EVs, passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as technology solutions.
It also held one of the widest displays of EVs by an Indian manufacturer at the Auto Expo this year.
With their strong focus on EVs, M&M displayed the Funster, a roadster electric concept, ATOM, a new age electric urban mobility solution and the e-XUV300 and the e-KUV100.
With a quintessential London street-vibe theme to the stall to reflect its strong British heritage, MG Motor India showcased the Marvel X, the world’s first mass-production model to achieve Level-3 Intelligent Driving.
Kia Motors is making a stronghold with its products in India. At the Auto Expo, the Korean carmaker launched the Kia Carnival at a starting price of Rs 24.95 lakh. The third product introduced is the Kia Sonet concept SUV. The company showcased 14 products including Soul EV, Niro EV and Stonic.
Making a rocking debut, Great Wall Motors (GWM) globally premiered its Haval Concept H and announced the India debut of the concept vehicle Vision 2025. On display were also the Haval: H9, F7, F7x, F5 and the GWM EV: iQ & R1. The company announced its plans to invest Rs 7,000 crore in India in a phased manner, covering manufacturing plant, vehicle research and development, production of power batteries and electric drives and vehicle and component manufacturing.
The country’s largest luxury car brand, Mercedes-Benz India, launched the world’s fastest series production four-door coupe and the fastest AMG ever in India, the AMG GT 63S 4MATIC 4 Door Coupe for a price tag of whopping Rs 2.42 crore. Mercedes-Benz also unveiled the much-awaited AMG A35 4M Limousine. On display is also the recently unveiled EQC Edition 1886.
On the day of unveils, Skoda too held a global premiere of the Vision IN, its mid-sized SUV. The Czech company also showcased the Kodiaq 2.0 TSI, the new Karoq 1.5 TSI, the face lifted Superb, the Octavia RS 245, and the Monte Carlo and the Matte Concept of the Rapid 1.0 TSI.
Pune-based Force Motors displayed a 100 per cent electric variant of its flagship product and market leader, the Traveller.
NCOV makes its presence felt
Amidst the coronavirus epidemic that has spread globally, visitors were seen wearing masks to protect themselves. The Auto Expo has Chinese firms led by Great Wall Motor, First Automotive Works (FAW) and electric bus maker BYD. As per a statement issued by SIAM, these stalls would be manned by their Indian employees only.
