Dealers are hopeful the domestic automobile market, facing a slowdown due to the April 25 earthquake and Tarai unrest, will rebound strongly this festive season.

To attract buyers, distributors of two- and four-wheelers have lined up several new launches, besides numerous promotional schemes and offers, during the “Nada Auto Show 2015” that is scheduled to begin from Tuesday in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.

Organised jointly by Nepal Automobiles Dealers’ Association (Nada) and Global Exposition and Management Services, the country’s biggest auto show is expected to see transactions of Rs1 billion, including sales and bookings.

The event will host 14 four-wheeler brands—Tata, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, Ford, Datsun, Daihatsu, Fiat, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Skoda, Toyota and Ssangyong. Similarly, 15 two-wheeler brands—Bajaj, Hero, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, MV Agusta, Hero Electric, KTM, Mahindra, Royal Enfield, TVS, UM Bikes, Vespa, Benelli and Aprilla—will display their new models. “Although the market conditions are unfavourable due to the Tarai banda, we are organising the expo with hope it would spread positive vibes in the sector,” said Nada Vice-president Anjan Shrestha.

MAW Enterprises, authorised distributor of Czech carmaker Skoda, will roll out the Yeti compact SUV and the Octavia premium sedan. Honda will unveil two new models—the Jazz premium hatchback and the Civic sedan, while Maruti Suzuki’s dealers CG MotoCorp  will launch the S-Cross premium crossover.

United Traders Syndicate, authorised distributor of Toyota, will roll out the Hilux SUV and a diesel version of the Etios Cross crossover.

Benelli, one of the oldest Italian motorcycle brand, will enter the domestic market through the auto show. KTM International Trading that recently acquired the Benelli dealership will launch three premium motorbikes—Benelli TNT 300, 600i and 600GT.

MAW Enterprises, which is also the distributor of Yamaha two-wheelers, will launch its commuter bike the Saluto, and IME Automotives, authorised distributor of UM, will roll out the Nitrox 125 motorcycle and the Powermax scooter.

“We are pretty much excited about the event. It is like Dashin for us as 30-40 percent business happens during this time. We will come up with various schemes and offers to attract customers,” said Karan Choudhari, executive director of CG MotoCorp.

“Nada Auto show would be an exclusive event where not only the people related to the automobile industry, but also business analysts, economists and policy makers will participate that will be helpful in the growth of auto sector and overall economy of the country,” said Shambhu Dahal, coordinator of the event, adding this year’s expo would be bigger than the previous editions in terms of the number of participating brands, hall design and exhibition area.