NADA Auto Show ends; 1,400 bookings in 6 days
KATHMANDU, SEP 09 -
NADA Auto Show 2014 concluded here on Monday attracting 55,000 visitors.
The only auto exhibition of the country saw transactions worth Rs 1.5 billion, according to the organisers—Nepal Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) and Global Exposition & Management Services. Automobile dealers said they registered over 1,400 bookings during the six-day event.
More than two dozen brands, including Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Fiat, Kia, Nissan, Skoda, Suzuki, TATA, Toyota, Volkswagen and Daihatsu, participated in the expo that saw the launch more than a dozen new vehicles.
The show, which was planned to end on Sunday, was extended until Monday. “This year’s event more fruitful than previous editions. Most of the dealers reported more than execrated bookings and sales,” said Gopi Neupane, general secretary of NADA. “The footfalls suggest the number of auto enthusiasts is increasing, but the government is apathetic towards the development of the automobiles market, imposing higher customs duty.”
According to the organisers, hatchbacks priced between Rs 1.6 million and Rs 2.5 million were the major crowd pullers.
Shiroj Pant, general manager - sales and marketing at CG MotoCorp, authorised distributor of Maruti Suzuki, said the expo helped boost their business with bookings exceeding their expectations. “We registered 260 bookings,” he said. “Besides the Swift, Wagon R and Alto, the Celerio hatchback, which we launched at the expo, got overwhelming response, with 60 bookings.”
“The expo was successful not only in terms of sales and bookings, but also in terms of informing the prospective customers about our products,” said Suraj Manandhar, business head at Life Automobiles, authorised distributor of Fiat. The company launched the Fiat Punto Evo hatchback at the expo.
Datsun, which made its Nepal debut through the auto show, reported 46 bookings for its GO hatchback. “We received 700 enquiries for the brand, which suggests the expo was huge a success,” said Gyanendra Chand, senior manager of at Pioneer Moto Corp, authorised distributor of Datsun, a brand owned by Japanese auto major Nissan.
Rupesh Sharma Bhatta, assistant general manager at Laxmi Intercontinental, authorised distributor of Hyundai, said they posted 35 percent more bookings compared to last year’s event. “Promotional schemes, new launches and lower interest rates on auto loans contributed the success,” he said.
Dealers of two-wheeler brands also termed the expo “a huge success”. “Enquiries were overwhelming on every segment, from commuter bikes and scooters to high-end sports bikes,” said Karun Shakya, marketing manager of MAW Enterprises, authorised distributor of Yamaha.
A total of 11 two wheeler brands, including Bajaj, Yamaha, Hero, Honda, KTM, Mahindra, Royal Enfield, Terra Motors, TVS, UM Bikes and Ducati participated in the Auto Show.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
