As the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo, India’s 10^th Auto Expo, started Tuesday, Delhi’s Pragati Maidan seems crowded with the latest designs and models by some of the world’s leading manufacturers of cars, trucks, motorcycles and auto parts. The Auto Expo is organized by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Lets take a look at whats wrapped up in the 7-day package which started on Jan 5th, 2010.

MARUTI SUZUKI:

India’s largest car manufacturer is entering the show with 5 cars - Suzuki Kizashi sedan, the R III MPV concept, the Eeco MPV, YR9 small car and the Y3 small car concept.

Suzuki Kizashi is a mid-size car from Suzuki. It replaces the GM Daewoo-designed Suzuki Verona. It is the sixth World Strategic Model from the Suzuki stable which is powered by 2.4 liter 4-cylinder with 185 hp and 170 lb/ft of torque.

A new family car ‘Eeco’ has a 1,200cc petrol engine and falls in the under – Rs 4 lakh (sub $10,000) segment. The Eeco will come with a three-row and two-row seating arrangements.

R III concept is based on the extended SX4 platform and will be powered by 1.3-litre Multijet diesel and a 1.4-litre K-Series engine. The secretive YR9,will be a next gen WagonR with better quality interiors and a 1.2-litre petrol engine while YE3, the hushed concept car , is likely to make its foray in place of the M800.

TATA MOTORS:

India’s third largest auto manufacturer Tata Motors also has a bunch of surprises for the guests. The Tata Indicruz, which is a 7-seater, premium MPV that is based on Tata Motors’ most popular SUV Tata Safari platform is equipped with a latest 2.2-litre diesel engine, navigation system and active safety features like ABS and airbags. Apart from this Tata’s Nano Europa and Nano, the Indigo Manza and Indica Vista, commercial vehicles and displays from partner Fiat will also make their way to the Tata stall.

MAHINDRA

Mahindra that began as a maker of army vehicles slowly moved to become a major automobile and tractor manufacturer and has now entered the two-wheeler space by acquisition of Kinetic Motors earlier this year.

Mahindra will be showing everything from their two-wheelers to their Navistar series of trucks at the stand. The company is debuting the first of their big trucks for the Mahindra Navistar range that boast of features such as power steering, air-conditioning etc. in the two wheeler section the manufacturer will show off two new concepts, one scooter and a motorcycle. The new Xylo D2 variant, with a 2.5-litre, 95 bhp common-rail diesel engine, the Thar (an off-road lifestyle vehicle), Bolero concepts and possibly its World SUV concept  all mark the potential listed models to be exhibited.

TOYOTA

Toyota has planned a grand pavilion at this year’s Auto Expo by bringing a total of 14 production and concept vehicles to the show.

Hatchback and sedan versions of the EFC small car will be displayed by Toyota. Toyota Prius will come to India as a CBU priced upwards of Rs 25 lakh ($52,000). Production cars from Toyota include the Camry, the super-popular Toyota Fortuner SUV and the Innova (maybe face-lifted). Other vehicles from the Toyota staple will be the Prado, the new land Cruiser and the Corolla Altis. The Toyota iQ, the Yaris, Etios and some fuel cell or electric cars will complete the line up of Toyota’s concept cars.

Apart from these Toyota’s Global Compact concept car codenamed EFC800L will have 1.2L petrol and 1.3L diesel engine variants and power ranging from 65-85 bhp.

HONDA

Honda will unveil its India-specific small car concept called “New Small” that will target the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Swift and Hyundai i10. The car will be powered by a new 1.0-litre petrol engine using a VTEC engine while the 1.2-litre engine from Jazz also comes as a possibility.

Also at display is CR-Z concept which is the first sporty hybrid to support a manual gearbox and has a powerful battery pack to yield a combined horsepower of over 140 bhp.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The world’s most valuable premium car brand, brings The Mercedes GL – a premium off-roader that competes against the likes of the Toyota Landcruiser and Range Rover and is powered by a six-cylinder diesel motor and a V8 petrol engine, offering true seven-seat capacity .

E-Class Coupe and  SLS AMG powered by a 560 bhp V8 are also among the top attractions.

BMW

BMW has its new BMW X6 M, the 550 bhp SUV, BMW Gran Turismo and the BMW 760Li, BMW’s flagship car at display. BMW India will offer both the petrol and diesel variants which will be available in 2010.

GENERAL MOTORS

The year 2009 provided one of the toughest economic periods for the auto industry, especially the American automakers that includes GM. However, now with signs of stabilization all around, the company is back on track and is geared up with its new small car for India – the Beat.

Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol motor with 80 bhp of peak power the global minicar is to be priced at Rs 3.34 lakh ($7,000), which is lower than rivals like Hyundai’s i10 and Maruti’s Ritz and Swift. GM is also bringing along the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car, the Cruze WTCC , the Chevrolet Volt and few others.

VOLKSWAGEN

The German auto major Volkswagen that made its entry into the compact car segment in March, has now eyed the Indian market by the launch of its small car Polo with a 1.2-litre petrol engine and plans to eventually bring in a diesel as well as more powerful petrol offerings.Touareg and Beetle, Jetta and Passat will also share the room with the Polo in the company launch in December.

The 2010 Delhi Auto Expo is geared to be a captivating showcase for the Indian customers and will be a treat cherished by the millions of Indian auto fans. So while those of you who have already had a glimpse at the first two day of the Auto Expo, do post in your views and reviews, so that rest of us sitting miles away from Delhi, can have a glimpse  of all wonderful cars flashing in their pavilion.