The 17th edition of 'Nada Auto Show-2025' is going on at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. It has products from various companies ranging from vehicles to spare parts and lubricants on display. But the 'Flying Taxi' brought to Nada for the first time has caught everyone's attention.

MAW, the authorized dealer of Changan-Deepal Company for Nepal, has put this taxi on display at the auto show. In this context, MAW managing director Bishnu Kumar Agarwal Raju Chaudhary

of Kantipur's edited part of the interview about the condition, prospects and future of the entire automobile sector in Nepal: 

There is a lot of money in the bank, but the government has reduced the investment for EVs, the investment in the IC engine was already reduced, it should be increased now 

The future belongs to EV, now its market is 70 percent in Nepal, other countries of the world are also emphasizing on EV.

This time at Nada Auto Show, the 'Flying Taxi' caught everyone's attention, its sales have not started, why have you brought such a taxi? 

One of MAW's objectives is innovation. MW has done all the work of bringing technology-related products and putting them on display among the customers. It does not give immediate profit, we are aware of this matter. But after some time the customers become aware of it, the market is also gradually developing, so we have brought flying taxis at the auto show. We have received a much better response than we expected. Common people like it a lot.

'Flying taxi' will be kept only in the exhibition or have you brought it in Nepal also seeing its future?

MAW is an official dealer of Changan-Deepal Company. Changan Deepal Company is invested by the central government of China. The Chinese government has invested in only 100 strong companies. It is the third largest auto company in China. The company's product 'Deepal S07' was a huge success. It is also in the NADA exhibition. 'S 05' has also been released. S05 is also a preferred product. This company has always been at the forefront of design and technology. This company has a strategic partnership with Ihang Company. Flying taxi has been brought to show the leading in technology. We have also displayed it at the NADA Auto Show. 

Because 5 years ago, hardly anyone thought that electric vehicles (EVs) would take over the market. EV is dominating not only the Nepali market but also the global market. The EV market in China has reached 50 percent. EVs are also accepted in other countries. That's why the price is going down.

There will be many changes in the next 5 years. Flying taxis also play an important role, growing their market. Commercialization of flying taxis has already started in China. After a few years, this technology also started in Nepal. This technology can be used in the tourism sector. Can be used in rural areas. Can be used for medical and emergency purposes. After the law is made in Nepal, it also starts in Nepal. As technology is leaping at a rapid pace, we have seen the market of 'flying taxi' in Nepal.

Regarding 'flying taxi', no policy rules and standards have been made in Nepal, has there been a commitment from the government to make policy rules?

During the inauguration of NADA Auto Show, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that the government has also emphasized for new technology. This in itself is positive. It also shows the foresight of the Prime Minister. He has encouraged to bring new technology in Nepal. We have also shown this to the officials of Nepal Civil Aviation Authority. We have also shown it to the minister. Even if policy is not a rule today, it will surely become a rule in the future. We have also seen the government positively. This time we have now brought the flying taxi only for the NADA Auto Show with approval from the Nepal government. 

Other than MAW 'Flying Taxi', what other new vehicles have been launched at NADA Auto Show?

MAW has all kinds of vehicles from Autobomile. The two-wheeler is a Yamaha motorcycle. Heavy Equipment has JCB. Commercial vehicles include Proton EV and Icer. Lubricants include HP Lubricant. In the car segment, Jeep, Skoda, Deepal, Ceres, Nami are also distributed. It also has a motorcycle assembling plant. We are starting HP Lubricants blending plant within a month. Apart from this, there is also investment in mushroom cultivation.

We are working to increase the capacity of automobiles by bringing new technology. Overall, we have mainly focused on customer satisfaction. That's what matters to MAW. We have paid attention to the customer while selling goods. The customer should be happy with the purchased goods. MAW pays attention to the professional environment of its employees. Training has been focused on creating an environment where one can work independently. We have worked looking at the future to move the company forward. Robots and flying cars came as a result. 

Overall, how is the Nada Auto Show going?

This time NADA Auto Show is very good. The general public has shown a lot of interest. In three days, 78 thousand 513 observers have participated in the auto show. This number is a record in itself. People seem to have an increased desire for vehicles and EVs. Most importantly, it keeps the economy running. 

A division was seen in automobile investors and traders, Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) expo was held a week and a half ago, a kind of division among businessmen must have affected NADA somewhere, please clarify the issue of NADA and Naima too?

Naima represents only automobile manufacturers and distributors. NADA is an umbrella organization. It represents all dealers, spare parts, lubricants and vehicles. The nature of the two institutions is different. A future collaboration between the two organizations will benefit the automobile industry. But both of them should advocate in the automobile sector. 

What are the opportunities and problems of the automobile industry?

The automobile sector has contributed greatly to Nepal's economy. It has helped a lot to increase personal efficiency, increase employment in transport. It has also helped a lot in bringing business opportunities. Not only this, it helps to make every economic sector viable. The automobile industry is connected to all sectors including industry, tourism, agriculture. There are those who say automobile is a luxury but that is not true. Automobile is a common need. The intervening two years were very challenging. At that time there was a 50 to 60 percent drop in demand in all industries. Last year saw some improvement. We are hopeful that this year will improve.

The government should support the automobile industry. There is a lot of money in the bank. But the government has reduced investment for EVs. Investment in IC engines was reduced from the beginning. It should be increased. As the investment increases, it will be used by common people. It also increases government revenue. The economy is also dynamic. There are many regulatory bodies. A regulatory body should look one way. Sometimes it comes from the General Accountant, sometimes it comes to revenue. It is also regulated by the National Bank. There should be a single policy to solve these problems in the long term.

The government has been very positive towards EVs. Because the production of electricity is more than the demand. Now there is also export. In the next 5 years, at least 5,000 MW will be connected to transmission lines from hydropower projects. That is more production than demand. It is used in EVs. It increases foreign exchange reserves. At the same time, the price of EVs also decreases. Contributes to Nepal's green energy and climate change. EV's policy is positive, it should be continued.

In general, there are two views regarding EVs, on the one hand, EVs should be encouraged and discounts should be given, which will reduce business losses by reducing fuel imports, on the other hand, there is a lot of revenue lost due to the discounts given on EVs. You are involved in both types of vehicles, which opinion do you favor? 

The future belongs to EVs. 70 percent of its market is in Nepal. Other countries in the world are also gradually emphasizing on EVs. Both because of climate change and because of economic sentiment - every country should convert from IC engines to EVs. Some convert in two years, some in 5 years. The overall industrial trend cannot be denied. Can't go against it. The world has gone to EV, how can you go against it! 

Most EVs are imported from China, but there is a problem with Nepal's road infrastructure, there is also a risk from a geographical point of view, how can EVs spread in such a situation?