The first edition of Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 was held at the newly built Pragati Maidan from 1-3 February 2024 and demonstrated India’s growth story. Talking about the outcome of the event, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, says that the highly successful event will now become an annual affair since the first edition witnessed outstanding achievements in the mobility sector of the country. The organisers have already announced next year’s show.
The inaugural Bharat Mobility Global Expo had the participation of over 800 exhibitors, 28 vehicle manufacturers, and auto component manufacturers showcasing their cutting-edge innovations. It garnered overwhelming support from 150,000 visitors present both from India and overseas across the automotive industry. The expo was organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Heavy Industries with support from SIAM, ACMA, and other associations to showcase products and services from leading automotive, technology, and mobility players.
India on the move
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, addressed a gathering of industry captains and participants at Bharat Mandapam. Modi congratulated the automotive industry of India for the grand event and praised the efforts of the exhibitors who showcased their products as he took a walkthrough of the Expo.
“India is on the move and is moving fast,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting that the present era is the beginning of a golden period for the mobility sector. He underlined that the economy of India is expanding at a fast pace and India is set to become the third-largest economy in the world during the present government’s third term.
“The growing economy and income are bound to infuse new confidence in the mobility sector. The number of cars sold in India rose from 12 crores to more than 21 crores from the 10 years before 2014 to after the year, while the number of electric cars sold in India rose from 2,000 per year 10 years ago to 12 lakh per year at present.” He added that in the last decade, the number of passenger vehicles increased by 60 per cent while two-wheelers increased by 70 per cent.
The Prime Minister also noted that, according to the latest statistics, car sales in January have broken all previous records. Today, India is the world's third-largest market for passenger vehicles and among the top three countries globally manufacturing commercial vehicles. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Narayan Rane, Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, and Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Mahendra Nath Pandey were present at the occasion, among others.
Perfect platform
"This marks a significant milestone within the mobility sector, representing a crucial threshold for success. Every year, the Bharat Mobility Global Expo is going to be an institution of ideas and innovations that will further help demonstrate India's growth story to the people of our nation. This year's overwhelming success, marked by the participation of top industry players, innovators, and a massive audience, has solidified its importance as a crucial platform for the mobility sector," added Goyal.
Emphasising the symbiotic relationship between technology and automotive sectors the minister continued: “Software and technology companies are poised to play a transformative role by contributing up to 150 billion dollars to the mobility sector.” The expo also played a perfect platform for facilitating business interactions, promoting technological advancements, and fostering collaborations among industry leaders.
Alternate fuel vehicles
The unveiling of a diverse range of electric, hybrid, CNG, and biofuel-powered vehicles underscored the Indian automotive industry's unwavering commitment to driving innovation and progressive growth. Beyond vehicle showcases, the event witnessed active participation from over 600 auto component manufacturers including global players, highlighting the comprehensive array of products, technologies, and services available for OEMs, the aftermarket, and various supply chains. The dedicated country pavilions and broad international participation showcased the global resonance of the expo, with countries like Japan, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand contributing significantly.
The integration of ACMA's flagship aftermarket expo, the ACMA Automechanika New Delhi, further enriched the event, emphasising the expo's inclusive approach towards the entire automotive ecosystem. With EEPC as the coordinating agency, the exhibition also saw participation from leading industry bodies such as SIAM, ACMA, IESA, ATMA, NASSCOM, ISA, ICEMA, MRAI, ITPO, Invest India, IBEF, and CII.
“I am indeed very pleased to see the response of so many of our members who have participated in the Bharat Mobility Expo. All companies presenting two-wheelers and three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles are participating in this expo. They are displaying some unique and innovative products,” said Rajesh Menon, Director-General, SIAM.
A to Z of automotive players
Two-, three-, four-wheelers, and commercial vehicle manufacturers across the automotive sector participated in the expo, displaying their products and technologies. Hyundai Motor showcased its technologically advanced products based on the theme ‘Mobility for All’. Škoda Auto Volkswagen India showcased future-ready technologies. MG Motor India’s five vehicles – Hector, Astor, ZS EV, Gloster, and Comet – highlighted its dedication to providing futuristic, innovative, and sustainable mobility solutions.
The Volvo FM 4x2 Electric Highway Tractor Truck reaffirmed its commitment to carbon neutrality by offering various alternate fuel solutions to customers. Force Motors showcased its three important vehicles: the Traveller Electric, Urbania Diesel, and Traveller CNG. TVS Motor and Hero MotoCorp displayed their current and future products.
New avenue
The annual expo is expected to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the mobility ecosystem in India. It will serve as a dynamic forum for industry stakeholders, policymakers, innovators, and enthusiasts to converge, exchange ideas, and drive the evolution of mobility solutions.
The organisers brought the entire mobility value chain under one roof successfully. The world-class facilities to conduct major shows at the newly built Pragati Maidan and conference halls at the Bharat Mandapam are expected to open a new avenue for exhibiting India's products to the world, not only in the automotive sector but also across all other sectors of business.
