Mumbai Auto Show kicks off

MUMBAI, APR 10: The first regional auto expo, Mumbai Auto Show, show-casing the automotive prowess of India was kicked off here today wit...

MUMBAI, APR 10: The first regional auto expo, Mumbai Auto Show, show-casing the automotive prowess of India was kicked off here today with tribute to the much sought after consumer8217;.

Chairman of Mahindra amp; Mahindra, Keshub Mahindra said the Indian auto industry has come to terms with the consumer of late, as it realised that consumer is the king8217;.

Quality, technology and after-sales service have come to play an important role in the prosperity of the automobile manufacturer with the advent of competition, he said.

Unlike in the past where the consumer had to request for early allotment of vehicles after booking, the consumer is in a better position to choose from a variety of automobiles mostly made available on shelf, he said.

Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs, Pramod Navalkar proposed the setting up of a museum in the state for preserving the heritage of Indian automobiles with the cooperation of the industry.

State Minister for Industry, Leeladhar Dake expressed the hope that the state,which was giving thrust to power and infrastructure sectors, would retain its prime of place in the sector. The state accounts for 65 per cent of automobile manufacturing in the country now, he added.

Former Chairman of CII western region, Anand Mahindra asked the state government to reconsider hiking taxes on the auto industry as proposed in the recent budget to make the state more attractive for new investments.

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About 35 companies are participating in the four day auto show, organised jointly by the CII, Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers SIAM and Automobile Component Manufacturers Association ACMA.

The new cars on display include Daewoo8217;s Nexia priced Rs 7.17 lakh ex-Mumbai and low end versions of Matiz, Fiat India8217;s three models of Siena and Mamp;M8217;s sports utility vehicle and its battery-powered three-wheeler 8212; Bijilee. Leading auto manufacturers Bajaj Auto, Daewoo, Motors, Eicher Motors, Fiat, Hero Honda, Hindustan Motors, Escorts, Yamaha, Hyundai, Mamp;M, Maruti, Telco, TVS Suzuki andGeneral Motors are participating in the four-day show.

Exotic vintage vehicles like Porsche, Ferrari and Lotus were the added attractions at the show.