Concept cars, electric vehicles steal the show on Day 1
Vijay C Roy
Tribune News Service
Greater Noida, February 5
Futuristic concept cars and electric vehicles stole the show on the first day of the Auto Expo, followed by BS-VI vehicles. Automakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Kia Motors and China-based GWM displayed their concept vehicles, promising gradual launches to keep the growth momentum going.
launched Funster electric concept vehicle at the Auto Expo
2020 in Greater Noida on Wednesday. AFP
Maruti Suzuki unveiled Futuro-E electric vehicle concept. A coupe-styled SUV, it is part of the carmaker’s “Mission Green Million” under which it plans to sell one million green cars (CNG, hybrids and electric) over the next few years. Conceptualised and designed by Maruti Suzuki designers, the concept car envisages a fresh design interpretation for the SUV segment.
Kenichi Ayukawa, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., said, “Mission Green Million is our commitment to bring advanced powertrain technologies for the Indian customers. In this mission, ‘Make in India’ will be our core philosophy. S-CNG and Smart Hybrid technologies on Maruti Suzuki cars have seen huge acceptance by customers. We have complete faith in the future of Indian automotive market and will accelerate our efforts for electrification of powertrains. Our endeavour will be to offer realistic solutions for mass acceptance by customers.”
“We took our first step towards electrification of powertrain in 2015, with the launch of Smart Hybrid technology in Ciaz. Today five of our models come with the smart hybrid options which are low on emissions and high on fuel efficiency. Cumulatively, we have sold over a million such green cars, including CNG and smart hybrid, in the last decade,” he said.
He said the company was committed to expand its CNG portfolio to include many more models in the coming years. As of now, eight of 15 products of the company are fitted with CNG engines.
Home-grown Mahindra & Mahindra launched Funster, a roadster electric concept with a playful convertible mode.
Tata Motors unveiled ‘HBX Show car’ based on the ALFA ARC and the ‘Sierra EV Concept’. New entrant Kia Motors also launched Sonet concept, an SUV.
Electric vehicles
Mahindra and Mahindra displayed one of the widest range of EVs and related technology solutions. The company introduced ATOM — a new-age electric urban mobility solution for last mile connectivity needs; e-XUV300 — the electric variant of its popular compact SUV e-KUV100 — at an affordable starting price of Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi, post FAME benefit).
Tata Motors unveiled one of the largest portfolio of EVs in India, with the newly-launched Nexon EV, the Altroz EV – a modern city car. In the commercial vehicle space, the company displayed Tata 4/12m low-floor entry electric bus – the first full-electric drive train. Tata Ultra T.7 Electric — India’s first-ever intermediate commercial electric truck — was also showcased.
China-based Great Wall Motors (GWM) showcased GWM EV iQ and R1. It is China’s largest SUV manufacturer. It also plans to invest in battery research and development and manufacturing in India to reinforce and accelerate India’s electrification strategy.
New launches
Tata Motors showcased the NEW FOREVER range of its passenger vehicles with 12 exhibits exemplifying the IMPACT DESIGN 2.0 across cars and utility vehicles. The company also unveiled ‘Hexa Safari Edition’ — a soul-stirring combination of two of our most loved SUVs — the iconic Safari and the ultra-capable Hexa. It also launched much-awaited ‘Harrier 2020’.
Great Wall Motors today globally showcased its Haval Concept H and announced the India debut of the concept vehicle.
Hyundai unveiled new Tucson to have greater share of the market.
French carmaker Renault unveiled the AMT (automated manual transmission) version of Triber. Luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz launched fastest AMG ever in India — the AMG GT 63S4M+ 4 Door Coupe. Alongside, it unveiled the highly anticipated AMG A35 4M Limousine.
