Published at January 19, 2023 by BikeJunction
Despite being less of a star-studded event than normal, this year’s Auto Expo witnessed an attendance of over 6.63 lakh visitors. Originally scheduled for 2022, this biennial event was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Auto Expo is Asia’s largest automotive event, organised by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Automotive Components Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).
The entire auto show event witnessed the unveiling and launching of 75 futuristic products by various manufacturers.
Vinod Aggarwal, the president of SIAM and one of the organisers, said in a statement, “The entire show revolved around sustainable mobility and decarbonisation with a thrust on five specific initiatives, namely ‘Surakshit Safar’ focusing on road safety; ‘Jaivik Pahal’ for promotion of bio-fuel vehicles; ‘Vidyutikaran’ focusing on electrification of vehicles; ‘Chakriyata’ focusing on the recycling of vehicles and ‘Gas Gatishilta’ focusing on gas mobility.”
The 16th edition of the Auto Expo event saw over 6,36,743 visitors, which was 28,000 more than the previous event. According to a statement released, this year’s turnout was “the highest ever” witnessed at the show to date.
Even though the event saw big names such as Skoda, Volkswagen and Mahindra & Mahindra, along with 3 major luxury car manufacturers Audi, BMW, and Mercedes Benz, back out from the event, the footfall remained massive.
From New EV Bike Startups, Self-Balancing Electric Scooters to Five-Doored SUVs, Auto Expo 2023 saw it all in this year's edition. Below you can read which products become showstopper & stars of the motor show.
Keeway India has added the SR250 to its motorcycle lineup, expanding it further. The SR250 will go on sale in April 2023.
At the 2023 Auto Expo event, Keeway India unveiled the SR250, a new motorbike with an ex-showroom price of Rs. 1.49 lakh. A 223cc, single-cylinder engine generating 16bhp and 16Nm powers the SR250. The motorbike barely weighs 120kg when its 14.2-litre fuel tank is completely fueled. With a design so unique, this bike became the centre of attention and all the rave at the event.
At the event, Tork Motors, a manufacturer of electric bikes, introduced the Kratos X, a brand-new model, and the Kratos R, an improved version. According to the bike manufacturer, the Tork Kratos X is a model with several features, including an aluminium swingarm and a 7-inch touch-compatible TFT display. Although Tork Motors hasn’t disclosed specifications regarding its power, the e-bike is anticipated to have a more powerful motor than the Kratos R, which will create more torque and accelerate more quickly. A new FF (Furiously Fast) mode is furthermore promised.
Ultraviolette has formally unveiled the brand-new F99 electric motorbike in India. Furthermore, Ultraviolette entered the realm of fast racing with the introduction of the F99 Factory Racing platform on Day 2 of the exhibition. Additionally, it is anticipated that this will promote ground-breaking innovation in the EV bike industry.
According to the firm, the F99 Factory Racing Platform, slated to be India’s first electric motorsports-oriented vehicle. It draws inspiration from both the aviation and racing industries in order to develop technology for electric motorbikes that push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
At the auto show, Moto Bologna Passione (MBP), another Italian company with Chinese ownership, debuted in India. MBP unveiled its C1002V and M502N naked motorbikes. In addition, Benelli and Keeway motorbike models will be offered alongside the new MBP versions.
The C1002V made its premiere at the EICMA in November 2022. The bike has large tyres on both ends, a muscular, blacked-out body, and a comfortable riding triangle.
The MBP C1002V features a cruise control system in addition to switchable engine maps. Additionally included is a 5-inch TFT display that can connect through Bluetooth to a smartphone.
Aadishwar Auto Ride India (AARI), which will import Benda Motorcycles from China into India later this year, previewed its new product line at the Auto Expo 2023. The Benda Dark Flag V4 cruiser and Benda LFC 700 4-cylinder cruiser are the two most notable models on exhibit.
The Dark Flag’s air suspension is one of its key features. This will be a first-of-its-kind feature on a motorcycle and is often found on luxury vehicles. However, the Benda LFC700’s engine is its best feature. A 680 cc four-cylinder engine that produces 91 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 63 Nm of maximum torque at 8,500 rpm powers the cruiser.
One of the most intriguing launches at the Auto Expo was made by Mumbai-based electric mobility company- Liger Mobility. The company pulled the wraps off the world’s first electric self-balancing scooter at the event - Liger X and Liger X Plus.
Both e-scooters were created by an engineering and design team at the tech start-up Liger Mobility. It combines cutting-edge sensors and algorithms to continuously check and modify its balance, making it nearly impossible to topple over. This implies that even at slow speeds or on uneven terrain, riders won’t have to worry about losing their balance and falling off.
LML is returning to the Indian market. However, they are placing their bets on electric two-wheelers this time. Italian designers created LML Star. Its design language has a somewhat futuristic appearance. A projector headlight and LED daytime running lights are tastefully incorporated into the front apron. The Star has a white, black, and red colour scheme throughout. Because the battery pack is carefully tucked away in the floorboard, the centre of gravity is significantly reduced, enhancing the scooter’s balance.
At the Auto Expo 2023, Motovolt, the leading e-mobility company, unveiled a smart, multi-purpose e-scooter that was built in-house. The e-scooter from Motovolt provides its customers with a secure and practical ride thanks to well-designed solutions. The e-scooter may be customised to meet the demands of the user thanks to its modular design. It has characteristics such as a specially designed storage area for the secure transportation of substantial baggage without endangering the safety of the passengers, increased strength and weight-bearing capability, a detachable pillion seat, and twin, removable, straightforward batteries weighing around 10 kg each.
At Auto Expo 2023, Ampere displayed the brand-new Primus electric scooter. The EV boasts a 120 km range on a single charge. The Ampere Primus shares stylistic cues with the current Magnus electric scooter, but it comes in four new dual-tone colours. Similar to the Oben Rorr e-bike, the Primus e-scooter now has a new 3kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. This gives it a stated peak speed of 75 kph and an IDC range of 120 kilometres. When put into a standard 5A socket, a full charge takes four hours; however, it only takes two hours when plugged into a fast-charging 30A socket.
At the Auto Expo 2023, TVS unveiled the iQube ST, the highest model in its portfolio. Over the previous two varieties, this new ST edition has distinctive paint jobs and “ST” badging all over the scooter. When compared to other models, the battery pack of the iQube ST is the biggest. Its battery capacity is 4.56 kWh as opposed to the other two variations’ 3.04 kWh. The iQube ST is said to have a riding range of 110 km on the power mode and 145 km in eco mode.
The Pune-based EV start-up company- Vague Mobility pulled the wraps off India’s first “Solar Car” - Eva. Eva is targeted towards urban commuters with 2 adult and 1 child seating capacity. This car is powered by a battery and has a single door, looking quite similar to the infamous Tata Nano. With Eva, users can choose to opt for a solar roof panel (sold separately) made to fit on the car’s roof. The solar roof enables the car to charge while it's kept isolated under the sun.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny is, without a doubt, the most popular car from the 2023 Auto Expo event. The 4×4 SUV reveal made the crowd loud and excited like no other at the event. Under the hood, the car comes with Suzuki’s AllGrip 4WD system and a host of high-tech features that make it ideal for off-road adventures too. Even though its prices are yet to be released, the booking for the same has commenced.
MSI further revealed another SUV, the FRONX, to firm its hold on its losing market share because of the lack of SUVs in its product range. The Fronx and Jimny were among the few ICE-based cars that were unveiled at the event. In addition, MSI also revealed their new WagonR flex-fuel prototype at Auto Expo 2023.
On Day 1 of the 2023 Auto Expo, Hyundai unveiled its most expensive vehicle in India yet, the Ioniq 5 all-electric hatchback. The unveiling took place by the Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, making it a much more iconic reveal at the event. The price for Ioniq 5 was revealed to be Rs. 44.95 lakhs (ex-showroom). The car has a 72.6kWh battery pack that produces 217 PS and 350 Nm. In addition, Ioniq 5 has a boxy shape and a vintage design with some homage to the previous era. The South Korean carmaker has begun taking reservations for the Ioniq 5 at dealerships all throughout the nation for Rs 1 lakh.
Tata Motor’s Avinya Concept was a stunning cherry on top of the extensive lineup of products the company displayed. This fantastic new concept car has all the makings of the greatest showstopper at the Auto Expo event. It possesses the aesthetic appeal and WOW factor that you often look for in a showpiece. The Avinya concept, which is built on Tata Motors’ Gen 3 architecture and features space, cutting-edge technology, and AI, had its world debut at the same time. A humidifier and scent diffuser is also included. By the end of 2024, it will be available to most people, according to Tata Motors.
Lexus, which was the only luxury car manufacturer at the event, was a huge crowd-puller at the event. The luxury constituent of Japanese Auto major Toyota unveiled its 5th generation RX SUV. In addition, the company showcased one of the most attractive cars at the event - the LF30 electric car. The car featured a futuristic-looking cockpit and doors that opened much like a batmobile.
Other than the brands mentioned above, other brands that were present at the event were BYD, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Tata Motors, MG Motor, Kia India and Hyundai Motor India. The brands put forward many futuristic products on the stage.
Auto Expo witnessed all the major 2-wheeler manufacturers missing at the event, except for a few showcases in the ethanol-powered or flex-fuel-powered vehicles.
Yes Security, the financial advisory firm, said in a note, “Auto Expo 2023 which highlighted the focus on clean energy (capabilities showcased in LNG, EV, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell) across OEMs and segments. While the shift towards EV has been underway for 2Ws, 3Ws and PVs, for the first time CV segment highlighted initiatives in EVs and hydrogen (both ICE and fuel cells) across leading OEMs.”
The 16th Edition of Auto Expo saw an array of two-wheeler start-up companies for the first time. The start-ups completely stole all the attention with their forward-thinking and futuristic approach to their range of 2-wheelers. In addition, brands including Tork Motors, Greaves Cotton, Jupiter Electric Mobility, Joy E-bikes, Liger Mobility and Cummins showcased their new electric bikes and scooters at the event.
Apart from major brands missing out on this year’s event, there was also a duffer affair in regards to the celebrity presence as compared to previous years’ events. The show, which previously boasted of Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif endorsing brands, saw only one star presence this year - Shah Rukh Khan. Shah Rukh Khan, who has now become the world’s 4th richest actor, came to unveil Hyundai Motor India’s Ionic 5 model. Along with the star, the event saw Boston Dynamics’ famous robot dog- SPOT, make its debut in India.
All in all, even though this year’s event saw major brands backing out, their absence wasn’t felt. On the contrary, the event saw a major shift towards a greener future in terms of commercial and personal transportation, which was definitely a major win. Apart from that, the event also witnessed many start-up companies, and the most forward-thinking approach in their product range was a delight to watch.
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