Honestly, we thought it was going to be larger than life. When they announced Auto Mall 2009, Chandigarh’s largest automobile show, we had visions - of four-wheel magnificence, breakthrough technology, fuel factors, a ride into the future, expert window on the road ahead. Instead, we got blinkers. Spread in just two hangers, Day One of the Auto Mall was all about cars rolled in straight from the showroom with their regular marketing guys. If you are looking for cost structures, comparative analysis of the existing models in cars and bikes, then this is your ground. The expo is more of a facilitator between the buyer and seller, a place where recession takes a backseat, and the buyer can check out his options along with ready help from bank personnel set up right there. As for what’s new, well, nothing. Compared to what was on at Delhi, Chandigarh had little to offer. But if you have time, you can walk in and check out the heavy weight 2300cc Triumph bike from the UK, it really does take your breath away. Then there are beauties from Volkswagen including the Passat. What we liked most was the all new Xenon XT from Tata Motors. A lifestyle pick-up truck, this about Rs 8.7 lakh SUV has a 2.2L Dicor engine operated by a 32 bit electronic control unit that ensures a high powered drive on any terrain. The best part is that it’s a do-it-up according to your likes vehicle. So, you can open your deck and dump anything, there’s a lockable boot lid option, and great indoors.

While bikers flaunted their stunts, and vintage cars sat their like pretty ladies, students from Panjab University’s UIET, Thapar Engineering College, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology and students from Mechanical Engineering Final Year parked with Baja ATVs. With their prize winning masterpiece, they were truly the ‘junkyard warriors’.

Tricity’s first automobile magazine Hill Quest’s Tricity Car Bazaar too was launched. Printed every fortnight, the magazine will give information on everything about cars in the city.