Nada Auto Show 2015 is all set to open at Bhrikuti Mandap on September 15. Organised jointly by the Nepal Automobiles Dealers’ Association (Nada) and Global Exposition and Management Services, the 10th edition of the annual car jamboree will see around a dozen new car launches from various brands. All the dealers have aimed to lure potential buyers ahead of the festive season.

Among the 14 brands of four-wheelers participating in the event, most of them, namely Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Volkswagen, Skoda and Toyota plan to roll out new models ranging from hatchbacks and sedans to SUVs. Auto dealers hope the expo will help to bring about a rebound in the market that has been facing a slowdown due to the earthquake and Tarai unrest.

Laxmi Intercontinental, the authorised distributor of Hyundai in Nepal, is all set to launch the much awaited SUV Creta. It will have a starting price of around Rs3.9 million. The Creta is based on Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design and features superior driving dynamics, high-end safety features along with a robust body structure, multiple power train options and engineering excellence.

This is Hyundai’s first entry in the compact SUV segment from which the company has high expectations. Anjan Shrestha, executive director of the company, said, “I hope this compact SUV will do well in the country’s gradually growing SUV market.”

Likewise, Pooja International, the authorised distributor of Volkswagen in Nepal, has planned to introduce three new models including the Volkswagen Scirocco sports car, Beetle compact car and Touareg luxury SUV during the event. The Scirocco sports car will be priced at Rs8.5 million while the Beetle will have a starting price of Rs7.85 million. The price of the Touareg will be around Rs16.2 million.

“We had planned to roll out these vehicles a few months ago, but we had to postpone the launch due to unfavourable market conditions. We are going to unveil three models next week,” said Bibek Bijukchhe, chief executive officer of the company.

Similarly, MAW Enterprises, the authorised distributor of Czech car maker Skoda in Nepal, will roll out the Yeti compact SUV and the Octavia premium sedan. Both the vehicles come with a diesel engine option. The Octavia, which will be available in two trims Ambition and Elegance, will have a starting price of Rs7.195 million. The Elegance variant will be equipped with auto gear shift while the Ambition will have a manual transmission. The Yeti will cost Rs8.495 million.

Keshav Aryal, marketing manager of the company, said, “These two premium segment vehicles have created a lot of buzz in Europe and India. We have also been receiving lots of enquiries from Nepali customers..”

Honda will be unveiling two new models, the Jazz premium hatchback and the Civic sedan, during the event. Saurav Jyoti, chairman of Syakar Trading Company, the authorised distributor of Honda cars in Nepal, said that the Jazz would have a starting price of Rs3 million while the Civic would cost around Rs6.8 million. The Jazz will be available in two engine options: 1.5-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel and 1.2-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol. The Civic sedan is equipped with a 2.2 i-DTEC engine.

Similarly, Maruti Suzuki’s authorised distributor CG MotoCorp is expected to unveil its S-Cross premium crossover during the auto show. The company has not released further details or the price. The vehicle will come in two variants, 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre diesel. The S-Cross was launched in India last month with a starting price of IRs8.34 million.

United Traders Syndicate, the authorised distributor of Toyota, will roll out the Hilux SUV and a diesel version of the Etios Cross crossover. The Hilux will be priced at Rs7.4 million while the diesel version of the Etios Cross will have a price tag of Rs4.5 million.