While electric vehicles have now gained traction, India showcased one at the 1986 Auto Expo.
India’s automobile journey started in 1897 with the first car hitting the Indian streets. The assembly of vehicles began in the 1940s and 1950s, and by the 1970s, India had a fair number of vehicles, motorcycles, and scooters. However, the progress took place without any advertisement, especially on the global stage.
India, then a newly independent nation having gained freedom from British colonisation, was still fighting multiple battles. Therefore, despite the growth in the automobile sector, advertising was less, and India did not feel the need to showcase itself on a global stage or invite global powers and display its progress.
Unfortunately, this was the reason why India’s progress was steady but slow. That’s when the government decided to organise India’s first-ever Auto Expo.
The idea of the Auto Expo was drafted in 1985, but it became a reality in 1986. Held at Pragati Maidan, the Indian Auto Expo was one of the first major fairs to be held in India. Lakhs thronged the Expo to get a glimpse of never-seen-before vehicles, including an electric vehicle, at a time when electric vehicles weren’t even a thing. A notable fact is that the Auto Expo was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the car’s invention by Karl Benz.
Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company showcased the Accord that it had proposed to make in India in collaboration with Japanese automobile maker Honda. India did not have many sedans back in the day, and therefore, the Accord was a crowd puller.
The Escorts pavilion showcased the French Citroën 2CV, whereas the Nissan Sunny, sponsored by Premier Automobiles, also made a name for itself. Hindustan Motors showcased Isuzu’s compact Gemini, and the DCM-Toyota Crown was also one of the cars that grabbed several eyeballs.
Chatelec is one of the few companies in India that started working on electric vehicles in the 1980s. The company had showcased an electric van at the 1986 Expo, which was made of fibreglass. The company had collaborated with a British company under an agreement to import these vans in completely knocked-down units and assemble them in India. The vans were touted to be in a price range of INR 90,000 to 200,000 and were promoted as low-maintenance vehicles with a lifespan of 15 years.
The Chatelec van even made an appearance during the climax scene of the Anil Kapoor-starrer Mr. India in 1987.
Since 1986, India has successfully organised 16 Auto Expos, with the latest one held in 2025 with a rebranded name—Bharat Mobility Expo. Here are the major highlights from the remaining 15 Auto Expos:
