NADA Auto Show ends on high note

The eleventh NADA Expo 2016 was held successfully in Kathmandu from 30 August for five days ended on a high with recording bookings of a whopping Rs 3.5 billion. The same event last year had bookings of Rs 2 billion. The automobile extravaganza is established as one of the biggest business fairs in the country where apart from vehicle buyers and prospective clients, automotive connoisseurs and enthusiasts make it a point to attend. The annual event serves a bigger platform for customers and enthusiasts who use the event to compare vehicles, book and purchase, avail of offers, understand auto financing options, and update themselves on upcoming trends and models, all under a single roof. NADA General Secretary, Krishna Prashad Dulal shared that this year featured 16 brands of four-wheelers, 15 brands of two-wheelers and five brands of heavy equipments. The event witnessed a total footfall of 60,000. Participating four wheeler brands were: Datsun, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Kia, Renault, TATA, Skoda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Mahindra, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Ssangyong. Participating two wheeler brands were: Bajaj, Benelli, KTM, Bela, Honda, Hero, Suzuki, Scomadi, TVS, Mahindra, Royal Enfield, UM, Runner, Yamaha and Vespa. Participating heavy equipment vehicles were: Ashok Leyland, TATA, Mahindra, Eicher and Escorts. NADA officials said that five new four-wheelers and four two-wheeler brands were introduced during the event while 4-5 variants in four wheelers and 10 variants in motorbikes were also launched. There were 125 stalls at the expo. "We are extremely overwhelmed by the event which has given a solid proof that the future of automobile sector is really promising in the country," General Secretary Dulal said, adding regrettably that they could not accommodate traders of automobile parts and accessories, lubricants and tyres among others to participate in the event due to the lack of space. As many as 1,500 units of motorbikes and 800 units of cars were booked. According to Arjun Karki, Manager-Sales and Marketing at Spiradi Trading, the authorised distributor of TATA motors in Nepal, 200 TATA vehicles were booked during the event. "Tiago was launched during the event and attracted a huge number of customers and a big chunk of booking".