It’s that time of the year when I get phone calls saying “Bhai, Auto Expo ka pass milega?” Yes, it has been two years already, and it’s time for the Auto Expo 2018 in New Delhi again. A time when most auto enthusiasts would be heading to Greater Noida to feast their eyes on the latest cars and bikes in the market.
So if you are keen on visiting the Auto Expo 2018 between 9 and 14 February 2018 at Expo Mart, Greater Noida, here are some pointers on how you can get your tickets and what you can see there?
How to Get Tickets For Auto Expo 2018
This year, the organisers of Auto Expo 2018, that is CII, SIAM and ACMA, have streamlined the booking of tickets and handed it to Bookmyshow. You can log on and buy tickets for two categories – business and general. Here is what they are priced at:
9 February:
10am-1pm (Business): Rs 750
1pm-6pm (General): Rs 350
10 February:
10am-7pm (General only): Rs 475
11 February:
10am-7pm (General only): Rs 475
12 February:
10am-1pm (Business): Rs 750
1pm-6pm (General): Rs 350
13 February:
10am-1pm (Business): Rs 750
1pm-6pm (General): Rs 350
14 February:
10am-5pm (General only): Rs 450
Besides these tickets, some of the automakers have distributed passes to their dealers, who in turn can choose to hand them over to select customers and clients. There are only a limited number of ‘free’ passes being offered this time. 7 February and 8 February are exclusive media days.
The Halls at the Venue
The 14th edition of the Auto Expo in India is being held at the India Expo Centre at Greater Noida. It has been held at this venue in 2014 and 2016 as well. It has a 65,000 square metre space for the exhibition, which is pretty large. However, there are fewer manufacturers taking part this year.
There are 16 (actually 15) halls at the Auto Expo. Halls 1,3,5 and 7 are on the ground floor with car exhibits, while 2,4,6 and 8 are on the first floor, where all the two-wheeler manufacturers will be showing their wares.
The bigger buildings are behind these halls with Halls 9 through 15. These are single level halls. Hall 16 is at the North-east corner of the exhibition ground and will have a vintage car display, behind the outdoor activity area.
Hall 1: Reception, media outlets, tyres, ancillaries
Hall 2: Suzuki Motorcycles, Piaggio, Media lounge
Hall 3: Hyundai India
Hall 4: Hero Motorcorp, UM Motorcycles, Twenty Two Motors, Hero Electric
Hall 5: Renault, Hotwheels, Goodyear
Hall 6: Honda Two Wheelers, Yamaha, Lohia, TVS Tyres
Hall 7: Kia Motors
Hall 8: TVS Motors, MRF, Kawasaki
Hall 9: Maruti Suzuki
Hall 10: Honda Cars, Toyota
Hall 11: Mahindra, SML Isuzu, Ashok Leyland, JBM
Hall 12: Gaming arena, Anti-counterfeiting display
Hall 14: Tata Motors
Hall 15: Mercedes Benz, BMW, Cummins
Hall 16 + Outdoor: Honda Motorcycles, Hero, Yamaha, JK Tyre, vintage cars
Many other brands have opted not to showcase their products at the Auto Expo in 2018. This includes the entire Volkswagen Group (eight brands), Fiat, MG, Triumph, Harley Davidson and Royal Enfield. The focus at the Expo is going to be largely around electric vehicles, so expect to see quite a few concepts on display.
Stay tuned to The Quint for continuous coverage of the Auto Expo 2018 from 7 February onward.