Mega exhibition of automobiles draws over 37,800 visitors in first three days
KATHMANDU, Aug 30: Over 37,800 visitors have thronged the 14th edition of the 'NADA Auto Show 2019' in the first three days of the mega exhibition of automobiles.
Anup Baral, the spokesperson of NADA Auto Show, told Republica that the auto show has registered an overwhelming number of visitors in the first three days.
According to Baral, the auto show drew 14,800 visitors on the third day alone.
Despite the government imposing high taxes on automobiles, more working-class people are opting to own a private vehicle for their convenience, according to observers.
‘Private transport is not a luxury sector’
"We have expanded the showcase area this year, which has allowed free flow of visitors," said Baral. "We have also separated auto components for visitor's convenience."
Nada Auto Show 2019 is the 14th edition of the biggest annual auto show in Nepal. It is considered as the festival for automobile dealers, and the majority of the annual sales happen during this event.
The exhibition which kicked off on Tuesday will run till this Sunday.
The exhibition, hosted by the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, features 95 stalls related to four-wheeler, two-wheeler, lubricants, spare parts, batteries, banks, and insurance companies.
Automobile companies like Mahindra, Tata, Vespa, TVS, Toyota, Datsun, Bajaj, and Suzuki, among others, have participated this year.
"In comparison to last year, the number of potential buyers has also increased," said Shawant Jung Sijapati, passenger vehicles department head of Sipradi Trading Pvt Ltd, authorized distributor of TATA Motors.
Banks like Civil Bank Ltd and Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd have also set up stalls for auto loans in this show, with offers of 'lower interest rates'. Representatives of participating banks claim of offering easy loan processing for the buyers apart from providing attractive schemes during the show.
According to bank representatives, availability of financing services at the exhibition venue has boosted the confidence of automobiles customers to buy new models.
"Normally, borrowers have to pay premium on the base rate as interest rate while borrowing from a bank. But, those who clinch a deal at the NADA Auto Show will get auto financing at the base rate," said Puskar Bhatta, an employee of the Civil Bank Ltd. "This means loans will become cheaper for those who buy car here at the NADA Auto Show."
Renowned brands have also set up stalls for electric cars.
"Due to the growing environmental concerns, people have been more interested in buying electric vehicles this year," said Navaraj Poudel, business head of thee-GO group. "Our aim is to see that in five years' time, 40 percent of the cars in Nepal are electric-powered. We are also collaborating with other electric automobile dealers toward that end," he added.
