Major auto brands to skip the 2016 Auto Expo in India

Brand names that'll be giving the Auto Expo a miss include Bajaj, Royal Enfield, Harley-Davidson and Skoda

Overdrive|Jul 20, 2015, 13:55:34 IST

The 2016 Auto Expo will be missing a few regular participants next, with manufacturers choosing to divert the rental charges costing between Rs 5-15 crore, into product development and marketing. In the two-wheeler section, Bajaj, Royal Enfield and Harley-Davidson will skip this event. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) claims that the rental costs haven’t gone up since 2012 and that they are the lowest compared to any other international auto shows in India.

However, Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, stated, “If we are not an Indian manufacturer and coming to India, I would want people to know me, and then I should participate. I will participate in Angola or Nigeria, where people don’t know me (Bajaj Auto). This condition does not apply to Bajaj Auto in India.”

Although no official details are out, it is likely that Harley-Davidson will be skipping the event due to the lack of a new product this year.

The four-wheeler department is likely to miss out on manufacturers such as Volvo and Skoda. In a statement to OVERDRIVE, a Skoda India spokesperson confirmed that they "are unlikely to participate in the forthcoming Auto Expo as per the marketing plan for 2016.”

Tesla's Cybercab to feature built-in Starlink antenna, bringing satellite internet to robotaxis

Tesla has confirmed that its upcoming Cybercab will include built-in Starlink connectivity, allowing the autonomous vehicle to access satellite internet beyond traditional mobile networks. The move deepens ties between Elon Musk's companies while supporting Tesla's vision of self-driving robotaxis capable of operating across a wider range of environments.

3 min read

US rejects Tesla bid to avoid recall of nearly 20,000 vehicles over headlight issue

US auto safety regulators rejected Tesla's bid to avoid a headlight recall while a separate investigation found a driver overrode Full Self-Driving before a fatal crash.

1 min read

IIT Kanpur study finds no evidence E20 petrol damages engines, says mileage impact is minimal

Fresh research from IIT Kanpur challenges widespread claims that E20 petrol harms vehicle engines, concluding that the fuel blend causes no measurable engine damage and only a marginal impact on fuel efficiency. The findings come amid ongoing public debate over India's ethanol-blending programme and concerns raised by motorists.

2 min read

As Nissan expands its line-up from one model to four, the carmaker is betting on affordable SUVs, exports and ICE volumes before making its EV play

Nissan Managing Director Saurabh Vatsa explains why the Tekton SUV is central to the brand's India strategy, its export ambitions and why an EV launch will have to wait.

2 min read

Volkswagen layoffs could hit 1 lakh as CEO warns of deeper cost overhaul

Volkswagen is weighing further workforce reductions that could bring total job losses to around 1,00,000, according to an internal message from CEO Oliver Blume. The proposed restructuring comes as Europe's biggest carmaker grapples with shrinking profits, intense Chinese competition, tariff pressures and excess manufacturing capacity.

2 min read

Up Next

Major auto brands to skip the 2016 Auto Expo in India

Tags

Tesla's Cybercab to feature built-in Starlink antenna, bringing satellite internet to robotaxis

US rejects Tesla bid to avoid recall of nearly 20,000 vehicles over headlight issue

IIT Kanpur study finds no evidence E20 petrol damages engines, says mileage impact is minimal

As Nissan expands its line-up from one model to four, the carmaker is betting on affordable SUVs, exports and ICE volumes before making its EV play

Volkswagen layoffs could hit 1 lakh as CEO warns of deeper cost overhaul