“Indian Automobile Industry will be number one in manufacturing and exporting of electric vehicles,” said Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at the official launch of Auto Expo 2020 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.
In his welcome address for Gadkari, SIAM President Rajan Wadhwa talked about the contributions of Indian Automotive Industry and acknowledged the key initiatives of Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways including leapfrogging to BS6 emission norms, quantum jumps in vehicle saftey standard, strengthening the vehicle inspection and certification infrastructure, setting up of fast track and more.
“We have adopted global saftey and emissions norms even before any other country,” added Wadhwa. On BS6 emission norm, Wadhwa said, “Rs. 60,000 Crore has been spent on BS-6 implementation and from 1st April, 2020 it will be implemented across the country. This is going to be a landmark achievement of the Industry.”
The 15th edition of Asia’s largest automobile show in terms of visitor footfalls kicked-off with a plethora of auto companies, start-ups, telecom, alternate fuel, electric vehicle and social media firms participating at the mega event. Many launches are expected to be face-lifts of existing models with BS-VI compliant engines as the country is shifting to BS-VI from April 2020. Brands like Volkswagen, Skoda, Force Motors are making a return to the motor show. The 15th edition of the expo, is being jointly organised by ACMA, CII and SIAM from February 7-12 for the general public, at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.
