The show, returning after three years
having been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, opened with the global premiere of
Suzuki Motor Corporation's concept electric SUV 'eVX' which is slated to hit
the market by 2025
Electric vehicles hogged the limelight
on the first day of India's flagship motor show Auto Expo 2023 with the likes
of Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Tata Motors and MG Motor showcasing their
futuristic products, while also committing to invest in sustainable mobility.
The show, returning after three years having been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,
opened with the global premiere of Suzuki Motor Corporation's concept electric
SUV 'eVX' which is slated to hit the market by 2025.
The company's Indian arm Maruti Suzuki India is among the major manufacturers
participating at the expo, in which some major manufacturers such as Mahindra
& Mahindra, Skoda, Volkswagen and Nissan along with luxury car makers like
Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are not participating.
The Concept eVX is a mid-size electric SUV concept designed and developed by
Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), Japan. It will be powered by a 60 kWh battery
pack offering up to 550 km of driving range on single charge.
"We plan to bring it to market by 2025. At the Suzuki Group, addressing
global warming is a priority," SMC Representative Director and President
Toshihiro Suzuki said here at the expo while unveiling the product.
On the other hand, Hyundai Motor India launched its all-electric model Ioniq 5
at an introductory price of Rs 44.95 lakh (ex-showroom) for the first 500
customers in the presence of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. The model is
based on the company's dedicated battery electric vehicle platform E-GMP.
"Ioniq 5 represents our shift towards future mobility with tenets that
encapsulate intelligent technology, innovation and sustainability,"
Hyundai Motor India MD and CEO Unsoo Kim said.
Hyundai already sells one EV model, Kona Electric, in the country.
Another carmaker Kia India, which unveiled an all-electric SUV Concept Kia
Concept EV9, said it plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore over the next four years to
scale up its presence in the electric vehicle segment.