The 12th Auto Expo which wrapped up last week in Greater Noida has gone down as a successful edition on two counts - great displays and launches, as well as the fact that the new venue (India Expo Mart) was well laid out and better suited to the show.
The Expo came closer to being a truly international motor show, and we were proud of this fact. So proud in fact that we held the first ever CNB Awards for Excellence at the Auto Expo. The small ceremony was hosted by the Mercedes-Benz India Pavilion, and we have the results for you. Watch the video, or go through our list below:
- Best Pavilion : Car
Honda Cars India
Honda won this award for the pavilion's layout, but also for the interactivity with visitors, and allowing them to open, enter and explore their production cars freely - even on public days. Ford, Maruti and Mahindra also impressed us.
- Best Pavilion : Two Wheeler
Hero MotoCorp
Hero had the biggest 2 wheeler pavilion, and used it to display its current and future range of products. Interactivity was also key as the co had a parallel outdoor arena with stunt bikers and more. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter, Triumph and Harley-Davidson also had impressive pavilions.
- Best Pavilion : CV
Volvo-Eicher Commercial Vehicles
Often ignored or overshadowed, the CVs held their own this year, and while it was nice to see the displays from Tata, Mahindra and Ashok Leyland, it was Volvo-Eicher who truly stood out, and had the crowds to prove it.
- Best Premium Brand Pavilion
Mercedes-Benz India
Yes the crowds come for the fancy cars and bikes, and so the German Hall as it was being called - which housed Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi was definitely getting lots of attention. As did JLR. But for allowing greater access to more of its cars, debuting the very hot GLA, and also organizing the crowds much better, it was Mercedes-Benz who won.
- Best Interactive Display
Nissan GT Academy
We were impressed by the innovative tools employed by manufacturers - right from painting contests for kids to impromptu dance and talent shows for the crowds. But Nissan brought not only its GT Academy initiative - but the actual gaming consoles to India and the Expo. Kudos for offering literally anyone the chance of a lifetime!
- Best Concept : Two Wheeler
Hero Hastur
Most motor shows globally are as much about production launches as concepts, and so it was great to see concepts on two wheels too. Hero itself had a slew of them including the Ion, TVS had its future design language on display, but the Hero Hastur sure got the crowds and the critics going, and so won our award!
- Best Concept : Car
Ford Figo
The sub-4-metre sedan craze saw Ford surprising us with the Figo in sedan form rather than hatch. The next generation car will not come before next year, but the concept has been well received for its shape, form and proportions.
- New Brand Debut Honour: 4 wheeler
Datsun
It is heartening to see India continue to attract attention from global auto, and so new brands coming in keeps us excited. Datsun came to the Expo to announce its arrival in style and deserved our honours.
- New Brand Debut Honour: 2 wheeler
Triumph Motorcycles
It is heartening to see India continue to attract attention from global auto, and so new brands coming in keeps us excited. Triumph came to the Expo to further drive home its massive launch in India just a few weeks prior to the expo, and deserved our honours.
- Best Global Debut
Honda Vision XS-1
That the Expo was the chosen venue for global debates makes our hearts swell with pride. The Ford Figo, Renault Kwid, and Maruti Ciaz sure counted very high, but the winner here is the sub-4-metre three-row space concept from Honda - part of its global design unveilings that it is focusing a lot of attention on.
- Best Of Show : Car
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Yes it has to be the hot one, the one that grans attention and excites the crowds. We are very excited the GLA is announced for India, and will debut in 2014, and so the GLA is our Best of Show!
- Best Of Show : Two Wheeler
Bajaj Pulsar 400
So much anticipation around this one folks, and it was well worth it. The Pulsar family is getting sexier and more muscular, and the two 400s we saw at the Expo sure deserved to be Best of Show!
- Best Launch : Two Wheeler
Harley-Davidson Street 750
Production debuts are the meat of it - and Harley-Davidson lived up to its promise by launching its Street 750 below Rs 5 lakh!
- Best Launch : Car
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
The market leader is always on the money, and the AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) on the Celerio, coupled with the exciting price list make the Celerio the undoubted leader of the launches at the Expo.
