The beginning of the Chinese onslaught

The 2020 Auto Expo may mark the watershed year in the annals of Indian automotive history when it is written as this will be the beginning of the Chinese onslaught on the Indian car industry.

We already have the biggest Chinese car company in India in the form of SAIC with its MG brand.

The Auto Expo will also see the third largest in the form of the

FAW Group mark its presence with its Haima brand. Thankfully the Wuhan headquartered second largest Chinese automobile group Dongfeng is significantly absent from the Expo this time around but the list of the big car manufacturers present continues. There is BYD, known worldwide for its electric buses and vans but also a significant player in the car space, Great Wall with its Haval brand will also be present in force after the acquisition of the Talegaon General Motor’s plant.

The good thing for the Indian consumer is the increase in choice and better deals and more value for money products (well as far as they can be given the ridiculously high taxes on the industry in our country). Also, as we have seen with the only Chinese player in the market, Chinese made cars are not bad at all, and offer something extra to differentiate themselves from the established players. It is interesting to note that MG was able to pass off as a British company to begin with but how will the others manage? Haima was part Mazda to begin with so Japanese? And what about the Great Wall? Interesting times definitely.

Well all the action is at the Auto Expo this month and we have all the details on the highlights and the new cars in this issue of the magazine in addition to all the regulars including a comparison of two of the retro bikes, the Benelli Imperiale and the Jawa 42 and first drives of the luxury MPV, the Carnival and the cheapest proper electric vehicle on the Indian market yet – the Nexon EV.

So enjoy this issue of AUTO TODAY and enjoy the AUTO EXPO and drive and ride safely. In the next issue we will bring you all the news, updates, and the new cars and bikes from the Auto Expo.