Largest auto show set for late Oct in Hanoi

Vietnam Motor Show 2010 in Hanoi , the industry’s largest exhibition in the country, will feature key automakers from October 29 to November 2.

Up to 15,000 square meters at the Vietnam Exhibition & Fair Centre (VEFAC), 248 Giang Vo Street, Ba Dinh District will be used to display the latest vehicle models of 11 members of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA).

The exhibiting firms will be Toyota Motor Vietnam, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam, Ford Vietnam, Honda Vietnam, Suzuki Vietnam, GM-Daewoo, Vinastar, Mekong, Samco, Hino and Vinaxuki.

The 6th edition of the Vietnam Motor Show, which is being organized by VAMA, will also be attended by more than 100 local and foreign suppliers of spare parts, supporting products, interior furnishings, sound systems, and banking and insurance services.

Going with the theme of “Become Better”, the event will provide automobile manufacturers with the opportunity to reach out to customers.

A feature of the forthcoming exhibition will be to introduce green auto making technologies, according to VAMA.

Though the event is taking place at a time when the economy is not yet out of the woods, with automakers facing a host of challenges, it is expected to draw over 120,000 visitors.

Through the exhibition, VAMA expects to help warm up the market and draw the attention of consumers.

September sales of locally assembled automobiles fell 17% year-on-year to more than 9,140 units, according to VAMA. This was the third consecutive monthly decline in sales.

VAMA members sold nearly 78,180 units in January-September, down 3% year-on-year. The SUV/MPV vehicle segment was hardest hit with sales plunging a hefty 14% to 16,280 units. Toyota alone sold more than 21,600 units in the first nine months.