Wide Options for Buyers at NADA

The scene inside the exhibition hall at Bhrikuti Mandap resembles to that of a dance party. As soon as you enter the hall, you find yourself drawn towards loud music and dance steps performed by beautiful damsels and stylish hunks. But do not think that you have mistakenly entered the wrong venue. You are indeed at the NADA AutoShow 2009, a five-day automobile show, which kicked off here on Friday.

Some auto companies have been taking NADA Auto Show as an opportunity to unfold their best promotional campaigns. Sangita Thapa, a sale executive at the Yamaha stall, said the company had hired models and dancers for the show to draw visitors and involve them in various games. “This answers why we have been able to draw most of the visitors to our stalls,” Sangita added. She also said the Yamaha Fazer that costs around Rs 2 lakh has become the showstopper at the event. Yamaha´s stall features other bikes like Enticer, Gladiator, Alba and Fazer among others.

Besides Yamaha, Honda and Hero Honda two-wheelers are also stealing the show. Lata Manandhar, an attendant at Honda stall, said Hero Honda CBZ X-treme with 150 cc displacement and 223 cc Hero Honda Karizma are doing wonders in the event. Hero Honda CB600F HORNET, a bike with sporty look and costing Rs 14 lakh, is another attraction, she added.

Rajan Puri, manager Syakar Company, said both CBZ and CB600F bikes were drawing huge crowds. “We have already received four bookings for CB600F. This bike is specially brought from Italy for the show and we are planning to launch it in the market shortly.”

The competition among motorbike dealers in offering best deals has put the customers in a tough situation. They are having hard time choosing best two-wheelers for them. Ramesh Nepal, who visited the show to buy a two-wheeler, was having difficulty in deciding whether to go for Honda or Suzuki bikes. “I like Stunner and Unicorn by Honda but B-King by Suzuki is also attractive. I am planning to bring my friends Monday to help me choose one,” he added.

Suzuki has come up with three attractions -- B-King, GS 150R and Hayabusa. “We have on display both the best and the fastest bikes in the world”, said Raju Bhetwal Chhetri, chief general manager, The Ganesh Enterprises. B-King -- one of the best bikes in the world -- costs Rs 2.35 million and Hayabusa costs Rs 2.2 million.

The show is not just only about bikes. Companies are offering best deals on four-wheelers too. Hyundai´s i20 and i10 and Skoda MAW´s Fabia and Octavia are some of the attractions in the show. Visitors are thronging to the stall as the companies are offering the vehicles at prices lower than their regular prices.

Sonam Choden Lama, a businesswoman who was busy filing a requisition form for Santro GLS, said, “I am going for the vehicle as it is being offered at Rs 1,355,000, less than the regular price.”

Shyam KC, a businessman, was looking for offers to exchange his Maruti Swift ZXI. “I want to buy a modified vehicle. So, I have been visiting stalls that offer exchange deals,” KC added.