The 11th edition Auto Expo that is to get underway on Thursday at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi will offer potential opportunities for auto component manufacturers, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the sector, said Auto Component Manufactures Association (ACMA) Arvind Kapur.

"The Auto Expo will act as a platform for highlighting the progress the auto-component industry has made over the last 2 years since the previous Auto Expo in terms of its growing capabilities and capacity, specially in the area of new product development and adoption of latest product and manufacturing technologies, particularly to meet the rapidly changing requirements in terms of emission reduction, enhanced safety, security and comfort," Kapur said.

"Both Indian and foreign business visitors will have ample opportunity to see products on display as well interact with senior officials of component companies at the venue grounds," he said addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.

SMEs are the backbone for the growth of the automotive industry. So, the show will help them to display their products exclusively to the global audience, he added.

He stated that many auto component manufacturers from different states of India such as Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Ludhiana and the other states have come together to participate in the Auto Expo 2012.

Around 1500 exhibitors from 24 countries such as UK, Germany, Japan, Korea, US, Turkey, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada and delegation including from many other countries are to be a part of this mega event.

The display will include a wide range of new and locally designed/developed auto-components, new designs of component systems like engine management systems, new age electronics like Navigation Systems, vehicle security systems, etc.

"This expo will position the Indian auto-component manufacturers as the most ideally suited to manufacture components for small cars, thus making India a key hub for production of small cars and two wheelers in the world," Kapur also said.

Further, on the growth of the auto component sector, Kapur added, ""The auto component industry has roughly a turnover of about USD 40 billion at present out of which exports are around USD 5.2 billion."

"We are about to grow at a rate of 15 percent by 2020. We should be USD 110 to 115 billion and almost 30 per cent will be exports. The 30 percent will be around USD 30-35 billion of exports which will be to the developed world. This will be the strength of the auto component industry in India." he also said.

The expo can also help the auto component industry in India to increase their share of exports, he added.

The edition of the event will focus on the theme " Mobility for All" with special emphasis on the safety and need of environment-friendly fuels, vehicles, technological advancements and innovative designs. It will also focus on "New Technology-Green Technology", to spread a message on green manufacturing.

Rajive Kaul- Chairman, steering committee, Auto Expo 2012 also mentioned that some new entrants are also part of the show this time and they include global companies like Polaris of USA, Triumph of UK, Mini & Motorad range from BMW and Vespa from the two wheeler segment, and Peugeot, Nissan and SSangyong of Korea (Mahindra Group) from the cars segment.

Paccar of Netherlands from the trucking segment will be a part of this expo, he added.

(Namrata Kath Hazarika can be contacted at namratakh@tradeindia.com)