Under the lights 2014 Dhaka Motor Show

Based on past experiences, autoshows in Bangladesh are not really up to the mark. However, perspectives change when one grows up from being a Coke addled, hormonal teenager to being an adult with the hooks of reality and practicality dug into the head and back of the person in question.

Those who went to the 2014 Dhaka Motor Show, held from 18th to 20th April at the BICC venue in Agargaon, were probably pretty disappointed by the lack of gleaming Lamborghinis and Ferraris on rotating platforms, flanked by beautiful women in silvery flowy dresses. The reality was much more sober, and honestly, why would you expect more from a third world country where less than 5% of the population has the ability to afford any form of personal transport?  
The Nitol-Tata sponsored event featured Navana, who showcased the latest Toyota Yaris, which they are hoping will be a turning point for Toyota in Bangladesh, as they try to incite buyers away from the Corolla with their smaller, cheaper alternative. The latest Corolla was showcased as well, but with each passing generation the Corolla becomes more and more expensive and upscale, which is bad news for fans of the most popular sedan in Bangladesh. The newest Corolla has a 1.6 liter engine, and the tax structure has made sure it's a whole lot more expensive than it really is. Navana will bring in the new Corolla on an order basis only. The Camry Hybrid also got the crowd's attention at the Navana booth.

Anwar Group, distributors of Ford, brought in their latest. The Dhaka car buying crowd has warmed up well to the Ford Ecosport, a KIA Sportage sized min-SUV/crossover. With loud colours and a funky, modern design, it's a hit already for the younger part of the car buying crowd. Other than the Ecosport, Ford had the all new Ranger, a brute-ish pickup truck with massive tires, lifted suspension and a stylish exterior.

Teenagers looking for an exotic fix got their hit at the R3V booth, which featured a myriad range of cars belonging to R3V members, during the course of the show. Techart Porsche Cayenne, Ranger Rover Overfinch, Audi A8L, Lexus IS, a Mitsubishi Evo VIII, and more found themselves on display for the enthralled audience. Special highlight of the show was the Autosmith booth, which featured the fastest Lancer Evolution in Bangladesh. Tuned at home by Autosmith's magicians, the muscular blue Evo VI develops more than 600 bhp, and at the show, it was hooked up to a dynamometer as part of the booth display.
Organized by event management firm CEMS-Bangladesh, the show featuring over 350 booths ran alongside the first motorsport event in Bangladesh, and drew a large crowd over all three days of the show. Hopefully the show will be back bigger and better over the next years.