Abdul Matlub Ahmad, chairman of Nitol Niloy Group, and Nilangshu Nandi, country manager of Hero MotoCorp, attend a press conference at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday to announce a mega motorbike show to be held in Dhaka in September. Photo: Star

Dhaka will host a mega motorbike show in September aiming to popularise two-wheelers among city dwellers and boost sales.
The four-day show beginning on September 18 will enable motorbike assemblers and manufacturers to display the latest models under one roof at the trade fair venue next to Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Bangladesh Event Management Services is organising the expo with Bangladesh Automobiles Assemblers and Manufacturers Association.
 “This is an event that will enable all stakeholders of the motorbike industry in the country to display their products,” Abdul Matlub Ahmad, chairman of Nitol Niloy Group, a leading seller of commercial vehicles, said at a press conference at The Daily Star Centre yesterday.
Nitol Niloy Group has recently formed a joint venture with Hero MotoCorp, India's largest motorbike maker, to build a manufacturing plant in Bangladesh.
There is no alternative to motorbikes in Dhaka city as the vehicle is still considered a timesaving and fast mode of transport, he said, adding that the fair will also create awareness among people on how to avoid accidents.
Demand for the two-wheelers is gradually increasing in Bangladesh, said Nilangshu Nandi, country manager of Hero MotoCorp, the title sponsor of the show.
The fair will also help the motorbike industry to educate consumers on safety regulation and riding tips, he said. Hero MotoCorp will launch some new motorbikes at the show.   
Currently, assemblers and manufacturers together sell 3 lakh to 3.5 lakh motorcycles a year, according to industry insiders.
The Indian brand Bajaj is the current market leader in Bangladesh with a 45-49 percent share. Walton, Runner, TVS and Yamaha are the other leading brands.   
Around 1.5 lakh people are expected to visit the show daily, said Syed Raju Ahmed, chief executive officer of the event management company.
New bike riders often get confused about which motorcycles they should purchase, Ahmed said. “We will organise a workshop to help them make the right decision,” Ahmed said.
Raffle draws to give out gifts will be held to attract visitors to the fair, he said.
“We will organise roadshows at four places in the capital and five concerts on different university campuses in the capital ahead of the fair,” Ahmed said.
At the event, Hero also launched two new bikes with engine capacity of 100cc and 150cc at a price range of Tk 1.4 lakh to Tk 2.1 lakh.   
Sarwar NA Khan, executive secretary of the Automobiles Assemblers and Manufacturers Association, also spoke.