NADA Auto Show to spotlight AI, EVs and ‘Made in Nepal’ Pavilion – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

Key Takeaways:

• 18th NADA Auto Show runs Sept 9–14 at Bhrikutimandap with 200 stalls
• Features 23 passenger-car brands, 17 LCVs, 13 two-wheelers plus parts and finance
• Debut of ‘Made in Nepal’ pavilion showcasing locally assembled vehicles and products
• EVs, AI and robotics demonstrations highlight industry’s technological shift

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 21

The NADA Auto Show is preparing to look beyond cars this year, bringing AI, robotics, electric vehicles and locally made products to the centre of Nepal’s largest automobile exhibition as organisers mark the association’s 50th anniversary.

The 18th NADA Auto Show 2026, scheduled for Sept 9–14 at Bhrikutimandap, will feature more than 200 stalls across 300,000 square feet, with participation from automobile brands, component manufacturers, financial institutions and insurers.

Visitors will see 23 passenger-car brands, 17 light commercial vehicle brands and 13 two-wheeler brands, along with 70 stalls for parts and products and 10 financial and insurance institutions. But organisers say the show will not be limited to new vehicles: demonstrations will include the GI Humanoid and GO-2 Quadruped robots, while QR codes on vehicles will provide AI-powered digital information.

NADA Secretary-General Milan Babu Malla said the industry is undergoing a major transformation, with the shift to EVs accompanied by growing use of AI, connectivity and automation. “Automobiles are no longer just vehicles. They are part of a larger ecosystem involving technology, mobility, employment, financial services and industry,” he said.

For the first time, a dedicated ‘Made in Nepal and Made for Nepal’ pavilion will showcase locally manufactured or assembled motorcycles, scooters, tyres, lubricants, batteries, helmets and spare parts. Malla said the initiative aims to challenge perceptions that manufacturing in Nepal is not possible.

EVs will have a significant presence, with brands preparing to introduce new models. A symposium on smart mobility, sustainable transportation and connectivity will also be organised. Malla stressed that EV growth must be matched by investment in charging infrastructure, skilled manpower, service networks and policy stability.

Organisers expect 200,000 visitors during the six-day exhibition. Parking will be available at multiple sites with free shuttle buses to Bhrikutimandap. Facilities will include CCTV surveillance, wheelchair access, emergency medical teams and a traffic desk. Advance tickets purchased via Khalti will be eligible for up to 50% cashback.

The 18th edition, held during NADA’s golden jubilee year, is being positioned not just as a showcase of vehicles but as a platform to examine the future of Nepal’s automobile industry and mobility ecosystem.