KOCHI: The Express Auto Expo-2017, organised by The New Indian Express Group, got underway on the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium ground at Kaloor here on Friday.
The exhibition was inaugurated by actor Manoj K Jayan. Hibi Eden MLA was the guest of honour.
The New Indian Express-Kerala general manager P Suresh Kumar, resident editor Vinod Mathew, Maruti Suzuki India territory sales manager Ivanshu, SF Sonic Batteries regional sales manager Udayavarman and Kochi Corporation councillor M G Aristotle attended.
On day one, thousands of visitors thronged the venue of the first edition of the Express Auto Expo. “I have attended many such events in the past, but this is unique. I am an ardent automobile fan and it gives me immense satisfaction to be at the expo. It is an unforgettable experience. Visitors can get to know more about the automotive sector at the expo,” said Manoj K Jayan.
Hibi Eden said in Kerala the most number of cars are sold in Kochi, and the Kakkanad RTO tops in vehicle registrations. “While the government is taking measures to promote public transport, car sale has already reached its peak,” he said and appealed to drive responsibly and obey traffic rules.
Later, Manoj K Jayan and Hibi Eden jointly unveiled the all-new Honda City car.
Finance companies, banks, car decor service providers and accessory manufacturers are also exhibiting their products. Vintage cars brought together by the Cochin Vintage Club are a major attraction at the venue.
Manoj K Jayan, Malayalees’ own Kuttan Thampuran, stole the show on the first day of the Express Auto Expo. The actor, who took a keen interest in vintage cars, obliged whenever fans requested for a selfie.“Very glad to have a very different automobile experience,” he scribed in the visitors’ book.
“We are getting a huge response to the first Express Auto Expo. People from North Kerala are visiting in large numbers, especially from Malappuram and Kozhikode,” said a spokesperson. The exhibition timing is from 11 am to 9 pm on all days.