By Arvin Vincent, IANS
New Delhi : The ongoing Auto Expo here is also time for exhibitors to display models of a different kind to add that extra bit of glamour to their bikes, cars and buses that are on display by the hundreds.
It is definitely a season of change at the expo, with many top automobile firms roping in professional modelling agencies and management students to help them handle products and technologies on display at the expo.
“We have several top-end companies participating this time. It’s always better to get some intelligent models,” said Hem Kashyap of Hem Associates, an agency that specialises in temporary staffing for conferences and events.
“Small-town, temporary staffers to help us out was the norm a couple of expos earlier. This year, the show has matured product-wise – and so have we,” Kashyap told IANS.
And these chic models dressed in western clothes are making anything between Rs.8,000 and Rs.18,000 a day during the expo, the recruiting agencies said.
“Most exhibitors have also roped in management students because it is easier for them to get familiar with the product and their diction is quite good. They are earning something between Rs.2,000 and 4,500 a day,” Kashyap said.
“The gender bias is obviously there but the companies are not complaining,” said Gurpal Singh, deputy director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the joint organisers of the Auto Show.
“In fact, women outnumber men in terms of temporary staff this time.”
The more the merrier is the mantra. Some top carmakers like Germany’s Audi AG, for instance, has more models at their glittering pavilion than vehicles this time, including Anna, a Miss Maxim India finalist.
For most people, these beauties, too, seem to be an attraction. “The cars are sexy all right – the babes are sexy as well. In fact, I have come all the way from Panipat to check them out,” said Suresh Jagota, a visitor.
Foreign models have also been roped in this time.
“Models from overseas are always in high demand. Also, the foreign participation at this year’s expo is far higher. This explains the better-looking foreign models at the turntables,” said Kashyap.
“They ensure a houseful opening.”
Security personnel at the expo said sometimes the presence of models could become a problem for them, though so far the going has been smooth this time.
“Sunday could be a bad day,” said one guard at the Tata Motors venue, which, too, has several models alongside the cars that are on display, including the Nano that hit global headlines as the world’s cheapest car.
“There’s going to be a lot of pushing and jostling but we have a plan in place,” one guard said.