New Delhi, Jan 14: Apart from a bevy of high-profile launches, the 9th Auto Expo has attracted a record number of automobile and component makers, informatics firms and dealers from India and all over the world.

This year the navigation devices are the major source of attraction at car accessory pavilion.

Car entertainment companies from across the world are showcasing a bewildering array of products that combine entertainment with navigation.

Telecom equipment provider Voxtel, a part of the UK's telecom giant BEIL, has its investment plan of 19.80 crore rupees (around 5 million US dollar) to expand its network in India by 2008.

The company is targeting revenue of 100 million dollars through the sales of its GPS-based Personal Navigation Devices (PND) and VoIP phones in the Indian market by the end of 2008.

Head of Sales, Voxtel Telecom, S. P Singh said," the navigation devices, is still in a very nascent stage in India but given the trend in European countries, PND is the fastest growing all across the world. I am sure this is going to pick up in India. I know a lot of education needs to be done for the customers, but it'll go a long way."

There's lot of scope for this. We see to start with the market being around some 300,000 units for the current year. And this is going to be a big market," added Singh.

For those who like their music loud and clear even in the confines of their car, there are a couple of entertainment systems complete with massive speakers, woofers and amplifiers. Mostly of them of Japanese make, can cost up to 3 lakh rupees (7,636 US dollar).

The number of cars on the roads increasing at steady pace is contributing to the car accessory industry's boom as well.

"With so much of cars coming in, I think the accessory trade is overall getting into the organized market place. Earlier, if you look at pre 2000 it has been more of unorganised market, be it car audio or even security system, any of the car accessories. But nowadays car dealers and the manufacturers are taking key interest in the accessory segment, it is getting into a more organized segment," said Suresh, Assistant Manger, Pioneer company.

Among the gamut of foreign exhibitors, this year for the first time a strong delegation of 10 Malaysian companies are exhibiting their technology and products.

Avana Technologies (M) SDN BHD, Filton Industries SDN BHD, Hardex Corporation SDN BHD, Kumpulan Jebco (M) SDN BHD, NJ Manufacturing Industries SDN BHD, Proreka (M) SDN BHD and BT Automotive Systems SDN BHD, to name a few, are manufacturers engaged in the production of automotive parts and accessories who are displaying their products here.

About 150,000 auto buffs are expected to visit the show.

Rising incomes and new models are boosting car sales in India where only 8 people in every 1,000 own a car, compared to 300-500 in many western countries.

Annual passenger vehicle sales are forecast to double to 2 million units by 2010. Small cars currently make up nearly two-thirds of the domestic market. (ANI)