Delhi Auto Expo 2012 (Pics and Awards)

Once again, the mela was set and being a student now, I obviously had the luxury to pay the fair a visit. This time I was with many; the auto expo visit was the first trip with my classmates.

The article also carries some awards as last time. Hope, they are funny (like others)

Special mention: The ticketing seemed better especially with the scanning process in practise (the first time @ Pragati Maidan). It was smooth to get in unlike last time (read here Delhi Auto Expo 2010) where I got in, thanks to the efforts of my brother.

We entered the expo around 1 PM (the start time for general public to witness the sexy beauties inside).
The first pavilion was my all time favourite.

Mercedes-Benz –
They will never disappoint you. Glittering beauties with the three pointed circle (symbol) all around you. Luxury from them is always unadulterated (even though they are behind BMW in competition). Mercedes showcased its ‘wing car’ outside their standalone pavilion (crowd puller; it was the most attractive car in last edition of expo, the AMG SLS). The entry to the pavilion had 2 M-class (standing in quite some pose).
The best car from Merc was their concept ‘Flow’. Majestic…speechless. She looked like a lady wrapped with the sliver silk (seductive). The feel after watching it was ‘nothing can beat a good luxurious Merc’. It therefore gets the ‘style-statement-award’. You will love it.

“Racing is a state of mind” – liked the quote outside Merc pavilion...awesome

BMW –
Didn’t like their display last time around. This time around BMW had a larger pavilion with an elevated view for visitors (quite unique). Mini Cooper was ok (definitely not better than Volkswagen’s Beetle). Can’t say much on it.
BMW in between showed one of their concept visions here in CP, Delhi. It was used in MI4. Really missed that one here. It is a wonder car, the one you drive in fantasy. Pics of that car are here (must watch).
However, they came up with another one. Awesome and speechless. How can you come up with this kind of stuff again? Brilliant. Sadly, I was very far to appreciate it to the full-heart level (mere pass business pass kyu nahi tha - regret).

BMW gets the ‘GAWK-award’ for producing yet another fantasy model after BMW Batmobile.


Volkswagen Das Auto –
Simple, Spacious and display concept similar to that of Expo 2010. Background included their recent blue campaign (likable). Expo 2010 (here) saw very heavy advertising of Polo. This time, it was subtle. Full product line was on display. VW concept car XL1 was also displayed (but didn’t have that pull when compared to offerings from BMW or Merc).Amidst white, the new Beetle in red was their best display. VW gets the ‘naam-bade-darshan-chote-award’ for their showroom like display pavilion.

Audi –
Audi was one of the best pavilions in the last edition (expo 2010). Audi went with a similar way of display (the white Audi sedans and a R8 in front). The only difference this time around was the colour of R8. Shiny Red (in last edition here, it was shiny orange).

Audi wins ‘best-body-colour-award’ for their sense of colour combinations. Crowd loved it, making it one of the most congested and crowdy halls at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012.

Tata Motors –
One of the biggest pavilions at the 2012 expo. Tatas showcased their product line width with the display of trucks, buses (normal as well as elongated), sedans (normal as well as hybrid) and their famous minis (Nano, Iris, Ace and PIXEL). Pixel was the show stealer this time around. Small & Cute (same adjectives used for Nano previously). However, the informative eyes would have appreciated the Indian car giant had the concept Pixel being developed with a right hand drive (the one on display was left hand drive raising speculation whether it was developed indigenously or elsewhere). But still the crowd loved it like they did at the time of Nano. Being a witness of expo 2008 when Nano was launched, it was a similar feel seeing Pixel. But Pixel is a concept car, far from production.
Tatas for their love of producing cute babies is henceforth given the ‘small-innovator-award’ for Pixel.

The other end of their pavilion had J&L series. The white Land Rovers were kept the same way as displayed in last edition. But the highlight was the two Red defender concept cars (open-roof & jeep look). The Jaguar display looked a bit off-coloured when compared to display of other luxurious car makers. The last edition display was better and definitely more luxurious.

Toyota –
Quite a larger pavilion for them, but it was justified after witnessing their intentions. Bestsellers Innova is reworked (looks more high-end, less like a cab). Fortuner is reworked but looked quite similar to me. The centre of attraction at the Toyota pavilion was the twin ladies at the centre along the racing versions of Etios Liva. Racing cars in red and white are quite standard, nothing exceptional in terms of looks. Toyota gets the ‘most-well-behaved-award’ for best crowd management.

Ford –
After Figo, Ford has geared up to fight in the SUV segment. Ford revealed a new SUV to India – Ford EcoSport. The car had the catchy looks with bright orange and mammoth front grill (trend these days). Liked their blue ambience; distinguished them from others. They are given the ‘big-grill-award’ for EcoSport.

Skoda –
Green and white are there hallmark colours. Very standard pavilion especially when you have the luxury gaint Audi right opposite you. Poor choice of pavilion. The cars were known except RS 2000. Strange looking car; though must admit it was stylish. The front look seems like somebody is stretching the car ears (the idea can be used in the next franchise of animation movie CARS).

Award for Skoda, Not this time. Guys, you need to improve your display (layout).

Chevrolet –
Chevy is all time favourite. Only reason being Bumblebee (Camaro). Expo 2010 (here) had a yellow one, coming right from the Transformers movie. This year, it was in dark orange (yellow was better). It unfortunately will not come to India, because right hand drive is not developed nor the company seems interested in developing one soon. Chevy has some handsome brands with them – Volt , Cruze (racer version in display). Captiva, SUV will be soon launched in a new avatar (earlier version was boring). The flying Beat was a fluke to many eyes (Guys! It was a gas balloon). Chevy pavilion is always impressive but has some standard stuff (this time around - Sail and Tavera).
Chevy gets the ‘Eyeballs’ award. Why? Read on…

DC –
(Disclaimer) I personally don’t like his stuff; it looks over-worked, pricy and lacks the royal classiness in terms of luxury.
Dilip Chhabria franchise is known name (his client list includes many famous stars of Bollywood). He also designed the car for the movie Taarzan (flop). He is introduced Avanti (reminded me of his car in Taarzan) and a modified Jeep (fantastic looks in yellow). Can’t say much on DC.

Aukaat se Bahar (Outside Monetary Reach) – Not surprisingly, the super duper multi Crore cars saw the longest queues. In display were the Porsche 911, Porsche Cayenne S, Ferrari California, Maserati Gran Cabrio, Maserati Quattroporte South Delhi gives you a chance to see these on its roads quite regularly Except Maserati. Maserati Q was best among them.

Bajaj –
Extraordinary pavilion. They came out with a new 4-wheeler (don’t you dare call it a car). RE60. Aisa naam, why RE, why 60? Re is borrowed from REVA (closest competitor in terms of size). 60 because it claims to half CO2 emission to 60gm/km. It is basically a solution to combat pollution (tagline). So, buy only iff you care for environment. Bajaj is the largest manufacturer for 3 wheelers in India. This is a desperate attempt to upgrade them to 4-wheelers. That is the only rational positioning I can understand. Else, it is very small especially with a price of around 2 L (Nano is cheaper than RE60).
The 3 wheeler on the Indian road is quite spacious and can accommodate 6-8 adults (some may call it over-crowding, but it saves you a hell lot of money). Replacing them with this is unlikely. Re60 usage on mass scale is some topic to research upon. Hence, Bajaj gets the curious ‘Y’ award.

Renault –
It has been in India through Logan but has never grown. Once my cab driver complimented Logan with words “lambi deir tak chalti hai, isliye taxi hai”. Logan went the taxi way, which too was limited because of its price and service. Renault here displayed Duster, another SUV attempt. But prices are said to start from 6, which are attractive for high volumes.
Another offering for Indian roads is Pulse. Catchy name but priced on the higher end at above 5 Lakh (above Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20).
Renault has been awarded the ‘fighter-award’.

Mahindra & Mahindra –
Compliments to them for showing Ssangyong to India. XUV 500, Mahindra’s latest offering was displayed in pale yellow and pale purple colours (fantastic). XUV 500 has stellar looks (both front as well as back). Nice to see Indians producing such stuff. Mahindra acquired Reva and thank God! They changed its look (looks are more sensible now, less kiddish). It deservingly gets the ‘Car-of-the-year’ award for XUV 500.


Nissan –
Nissan revealed Evalia, another SUV attempt for the Indian market. Others on display were GT R and 370 Z.

Missed Maruti –
“jo dil mein ho, usye aakhein kya dekhengi”

Two-Wheelers –
Quite a strangler to these at Auto Expos. Still I visited them (thanks to Saurabh Bakshi, Abhishek Garg). The top brand in superbike segment was Ducati. Dream machines to say the least. Haven’t seen much of them on Delhi roads, but all I can observe is that they are damn classy.
Next chapter of awesome-bikes belongs to Harley Davidson. The length of bikes is an admiration in itself. Awesome. Love the style they carry; unique and speaks loads of attitude (respect to their designers).
Others include Yamaha glittery pinky scooty, Vespa white scooter, sand coloured Royal Enfield, Triumph’s Bonneville, Hero Impulse, Honda’s patient answer to Hero’s Impulse, etc (Somehow can’t generate much interest in bikes).

Trends & Analysis –
1) SUVs are the next big thing
2) Red is the hot colour
3) Sexy girls besides cars does not guarantee a good pull. Eg - Mercedes
4) Increase in presence of local brands and manufacturers (signs of confidence)
5) India is opening to superbikes (and not just splendours)
6) Car manufactures still want to show less of their R&D here, in the form of concept cars & more sellable cars
7) Lucky draw is only for prospective buyers

‘Chicks’ n ‘Girls’
Must thank Bakshi for the drag race and his vision and mission towards identifying the sexier talent. Auto Expo 2012 showcased a much better performance compared to its preceding exhibitions. The Chevy pavilion had the best models if not the cars, it wins the male-magnet award for the having the highest attraction load factor.

Kuch bhi (just anything) – heard people/new reports saying the venue is expected to be shifted. Don’t really agree if any venue can replace Pragati Maidan with the kind of location it has (central Delhi amidst the most affluent newsmakers). However, with whatever operations management I have understood, layout of the expo has the scope to improve.

ps: plan to revive the category ‘college life’ initiated. Cheers

YOU can find all pics at Facebook (here) and on Lafango (here)
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