NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2026 Begins in Kathmandu

Kathmandu. The grand celebration of the Nepali automobile sector, ‘NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2026,’ has begun today. On Tuesday, Inspector General of Nepal Police Dan Bahadur Karki inaugurated the expo at Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu. The second edition of the expo has started under the organization of the Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). Vehicles based on electric, petrol, hybrid, and other technologies are on display at the expo. The Mobility Expo, which will run until the 31st, has seen auto entrepreneurs enthusiastically unveiling new brands and models of cars. 53 different brands are participating in the expo. According to Expo Coordinator Gaurav Sarda, more than 40 new vehicles are being unveiled for the first time at the exhibition. Among these, 29 brands of four-wheelers and 18 brands of two-wheelers’ innovations and models are on display. Coordinator Sarda stated that about 20 brands of cars were launched today. He informed that some other brands could not be launched because their vehicles were stuck at the Tatopani customs due to problems. He said, ‘The first day of the expo is the inauguration session. There has been an enthusiastic participation in the inauguration session. This is expected to add more enthusiasm in the coming days. The expo will make the auto sector more dynamic, and customers will be able to see and order cars with the models and features they want.’ 53 stalls of various brands of cars and motorcycles are set up at the exhibition venue. Vehicles ranging from 1.8 million rupees to approximately 40 million rupees are displayed at the expo. Electric vehicles have a significant presence at the expo. At the exhibition, customers can choose from various options according to their budget and interest to see and book vehicles. The public participation and enthusiasm of entrepreneurs seen on the first day of the expo are expected to revitalize the sluggish auto market. Launched New Brands and Models Chinese electric giant BYD has made a strong presence at this year’s expo. Saimex Inc., the official dealer of BYD, has unveiled three new models of cars in the Nepali market simultaneously. BYD has further expanded its popular Atto series by launching the facelift versions of Atto 1 and Atto 3, along with the new Atto 2. Japanese automobile giant Nissan has unveiled its new SUV, the Tecton model. This car, brought by Pioneer MotoCorp, is gaining attention due to its modern design and large body. Priced at 6.121 million rupees, this car is expected to give tough competition in the SUV segment. Similarly, Chinese company Chery has entered the Nepali market with its new brand Q3. Designed for modern urban lifestyles, this EV has a 41.2 kWh battery, which the company claims can provide a range of up to 400 km on a single full charge. Its starting price is 3.011 million rupees. Amidst the wave of electric vehicles, hybrid technology has also been given special priority. Toyota has unveiled hybrid versions of its two popular models, Hilux and RAV4. The price of Hilux is 15.5 million rupees and RAV4 is 21.3 million rupees. Chinese brand BAIC has also brought its hybrid SUV BJ30 to the Nepali market. Its price is 11.196 million rupees. With an attractive boxy design and premium features, this car has emerged as a new option in hybrid technology. There is equal attraction towards two-wheeler vehicles at the expo. Bikes and scooters of various brands priced from 200,000 rupees to over 1 million rupees are on display. Bajaj has displayed two models of its first electric scooter Chetak. TVS has brought new and powerful models like Ntorq 150 and RTX 300. Yadea has unveiled new electric scooters like GS 70, GT 70, and GT 80. Tata Motors has showcased the facelift models of its Punch EV and Tiago EV, while Hyundai’s all-new Venue, Ioniq 5, and some new electric models have become centers of attraction. Omada, Leapmotor’s B03X, Kia’s three new cars, Gaxus, and Henry Volts’ new models have also added diversity to the expo. Brands Carrying Old Legacy See Crowds on First Day of Expo On the first day of the expo, there was a larger crowd of visitors for brands with old legacies compared to other new brands of vehicles. Brands established as old brands in Nepal, such as Toyota, BYD, MG, Hyundai, and Omada, have seen a large crowd of visitors. The crowd of visitors is also due to these having slightly larger body models compared to other brands. Policy Stability and Business Demands During the inauguration of the expo, NAIMA President Ritu Singh Vaidya urged the government not to view automobiles as luxury items. She said, ‘Mobility Expo is not just a place to buy and sell vehicles; it is a platform that brings the entire mobility ecosystem together. The state must address this sector, which contributes significantly to the country’s economy, through clear and stable policies.’ She emphasized that frequently changing government policies create uncertainty among investors and entrepreneurs, and mandatory consultation with the private sector and stakeholders should be done before any policy changes. President Singh stated that we should move towards electric vehicles and a green economy by making better use of clean energy and should encourage automobile auxiliary industries to increase local value addition. The expo is not limited to vehicle exhibitions; the organizers have also arranged learning sessions with stakeholders and experts to discuss road safety, management of batteries used in electric vehicles, and new technologies. Such sessions have been organized to inform general consumers and students about the direction of the automobile sector and its challenges. Organized just before the festivals, this auto expo has provided customers with an excellent opportunity to choose new cars. Attractive discounts, cash back, and gift schemes have also been announced for customers who book vehicles during the exhibition period. Similarly, stalls of various insurance companies and banks can also be seen at the expo. Banks and financial institutions participating in the expo have arranged for 40 percent down payment and 60 percent financing. With attractive interest rates and easy installment plans for most EVs, customers are attracted to new technology cars. Hongsi and Arfux Brands Could Not Arrive Due to Road Obstruction The stalls of Hongsi and Arfux brands, which were preparing to participate in the expo, appeared empty as the vehicles could not reach the expo venue due to road blockages. The organizers stated that the Hongsi and Arfux brand vehicles, which were being prepared for display at the expo, could not be brought due to road blockages. According to the organizers, the Vishal Group was preparing to bring the Hongsi brand vehicle, and Laxmi Group was preparing to bring the Arfux brand. The organizers stated that the vehicles planned to be brought to NAIMA got stuck on the way due to the road being blocked by a landslide.