Each biennial, the Auto Expo gets bigger. And 2010 Expo was bigger than the 2008 Expo, in terms of the level of participation of auto companies, the global launches, unveiling of concept cars, and the big CEOs descending on the national capital for one of its most prestigious shows.

Celebrity endorsers and brand ambassadors of the most popular auto companies in India were all there. The list is impressive - King Khan that is Shah Rukh Khan (Hyundai), Saif Ali Khan (GM), John Abraham (Yamaha), Anil Kapoor, his daughter, Sonam, and the like. But what caught the attention of the people are the announcements by Honda and Toyota to enter the small car segment. Fiat was not falling behind.

Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford are all set to storm the citadel of Maruti and Hyundai, hitherto the uncrowned monarchs of the small car segment. Toyota has announced the launch of Etios at a price tag of about Rs 4-5 lakh, Honda small car is still at conceptual stage, but definite to make an entry by 2011-12, Ford Figo is already making news, and GM's Beat at a price tag of Rs 4-5 lakh are all going to increase customer choice and crowd the small car segment.

German automaker, Volkswagen, which has become aggressive in the Indian market with Jetta and Passat luxury models and the much awaited launch of the world renowned Beetle, is also planning to tackle the small car market. It might compete in this section with its European sensation Polo.

India - small car hub of the world

Already, India has been recognized as the small car hub or capital of the world. And these plans are going to only confirm that status. Fiat too is planing to make its re-entry into the small car segment, a position it vacated to Suzuki and Hyundai. For decades Fiat 1100 was one of the most popular small cars in India. But Fiat has had a bad track record of not being able to pump up its sales with its Sienna or other models that followed only because they lacked a strong marketing network. Their cars were always popular in Europe.

Their marketing strategy got a further boost when they decided to tie up with the Tatas. As luck would have it, the platform proved to be a boon to launch the really slick Linea and Grande Punto.

Auto Expo 2010 saw Fiat showcase the Linea and Punto higher end models under the Tata umbrella at the auto expo, a tactical advantage.

Tatas have consistently been a star attraction at the auto expo. First it was the launch of the Indica and later its upscale models right unto Vista and improvised Manza. And Nano caught world attention last time at the Auto Expo 2008 with its price tag of a lakh of rupees which made it the cheapest car in the world. Now Nano is set for its launch in export markets - Egypt and USA– shortly.

This time around, Tatas have impressed with the concept car Primus which is likely to challenge the might of the world leaders in the mid car class. Tatas had the Jaguar brand exhibited at the expo. Tata Motors had an impressive range of trucks in the form of Prima 4038 S LHD, priced at Rs 50 lakh. It changes the very concept of trucks in India. It has high range of comforts for the driver and the co-passenger.

Tatas also caught the eye with the low floor buses in various variants. Star bus was a major attraction. Tatas compete with the Ashok Leyland in this section. More entrants are expected.

The Tata pavilion, perhaps with the largest floor space, and always the most crowded, offered - the Ambulance. It redefined the way ambulances ought to be built with full life support facilities. It gives the existing ambulances made by so-called specialists a good run for their money.

Finding competition in this section is the Volvo with FH- 520 priced a whopping Rs 98 lakh. Mahindra has the Navistar MN 49 at price of Rs 55 lakh. It also offers the MN 40 range at Rs 45 lakh. Mercedes also competes in this section with Actros at Rs 60 lakh.

These machines are built keeping in mind the increased demand for trucks to go longer distances. So these can travel at least 700 km without getting weary as the existing trucks which are built to travel around 350 km at a stretch.

Toyota which is already making waves with the Altis and upscale Camry unveiled the hybrid Prius at a whopping price tag of Rs 26.55 lakh for the standard version and the loaded version at Rs 27.88 lakhs.

Renault, which has made an impressive debut with its low price Logan through its partner Mahindra, is now planning to compete with its entire range of mid-sized cars. Fluence is an impressive vehicle which will enter the market shortly taking head on vehicles like Toyota Corolla, Ford Fiesta, GM's Chevrolet Aveo and Optra, Skoda's Octavia.

The German auto makers were not as strong in their presence as in Auto Expo 2008 but still Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi and Skoda made the usual line up of vehicles.

Maruti led in all segments...

Maruti is the undisputed leader in all segments: only the Maruti stable of cars can boast of a resale value from the 800 and Alto to the Esteem, Swift, Versa and its entire new range of Ritz, A Star and refurbished Zen. Maruti Suzuki tries to block competition in every segment with its own wide range of offerings. A perfect market strategy. But unfortunately it has not made headway in its higher end models or MUV or SUV segments.

Bajaj to focus on motorcycles

Cut from the car segment to the two wheeler segment. The war is really hotting up here. Scooter makers to the world and India, Bajaj, took a conscious decision to close down their scooter division, Bajaj scooters was a way of life in India, particularly in northern India. One is familiar with the sight of a family of five travelling on a Bajaj scooter, evidence that its engine is strong and its suspension capable of taking any load. Bajaj has now decided to exit scooter production and focus on motor cycles.

Waiting on the wings to capture the space vacated by Bajaj is Honda which has already established the largest market share in the motorcycle section. The country's largest two wheeler maker, Hero Honda has planned to launch range of gearless scooters.All the two-wheeler makers, Honda, Yamaha, TVS Suzuki, LML, Mahindra, were all there with their snazzy range of bikes. Even the world renowned Harley Davidson had exhibited its range of vehicles. Royal Enfield, which is the leader in the 350 cc segment, was also conspicuous with its presence.

Bullet-proof vehicles...

A new feature at this auto expo was the exhibition of bullet proof vehicles for cities tormented by terrorist bombings and random firings. Pajero had an unusual spectacle of a bullet riddled vehicle with dented bumpers. Chanukah Automobiles India Pvt Ltd is challenging the might of state-owned ordinance factories making armoured vehicles. It has been cleared by the Bureau of Police Research and Development to manufacture armoured vehicles to the stringent specifications of VVIP vehicles.

These vehicles push up the cost of a Pajero to Rs 45 lakh and an Ambassador to Rs 23 lakh. Because specialized high quality bullet proof steel have to be ingested into the body and special glass has to be made for the windshields.

Even as Auto Expo 2010 hosted by CII, ACMA and SIAM got bigger than Auto Expo 2008, it’s anybody's guess that Auto Expo 2012 is going to be even better, but the initial excitement of Auto Expos seems to be wearing off with stereotype displays, game shows, contests, and the same old models hired from the army, navy, air force services quarters from downtown Noida in the NCR region. Their skirts are only getting shorter each expo and that is the reason for the massive crowds, which seem to come to ogle more at them than the exotic auto models put on display by the auto makers of the world making India the small car hub of the world.Automakers also flew in foreign models this time to supplement the local desi models to flaunt their driving machines!

But what was easily the most exciting and visual treat and where there were no crowds was the vintage section where the lovely beauties of yesteryears were on display from the Buick and Chevrolet Impala to the Rolls Royce and Opel.