The Mumbai Auto Show certainly started off with a lot of hoopla, and notwithstanding initial hiccups (the air-conditioning in the halls couldn't get started in time), the show, if the attendance on the first day was any measure, got off to a fairly good start.

Although the Auto Show officially opened to the public at 4.00 pm, work at the venue had begun much earlier and every stall was humming with activity - cleaning, arranging, and adding that final sheen of polish to already gleaming cars.

The Show was inaugurated at 3.30 p.m. by Mr. Liladhar Dhake - Minister of Industries, Government of Maharashtra, Mr. Pramod Navalkar - Minister of Protocol and Cultural Affairs and Shri. Kesub Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. From Left - Mr.Anand Mahindra, Mr.Liladhar Dhake and Mr.Kesub Mahindra

While almost every auto-major in the country was present at the show, others like Hyundai, Toyota Kirloskar, Mercedes were conspicuous by their absence.

The highlight of the show was the FIAT Siena, which made its first public appearance in Mumbai, and the Opel Vectra from General Motors.

Dilip Chabbria's re-modelled Indian cars also attracted a lot of attention, and the Cielo, which was converted into an absolutely stunning sports coupe, was itself worth a trip to the show.

The Mahindra Pavillion displayed their yuppy new 4X4 multi-utility vehicle and "Bijlee" - the 10-seater auto-rickshaw that runs on electricity, while Daewoo Motors, Hindustan Motors and Telco had their current range of cars displayed.