At the Mercedes stall, Naveen Kumar, hardly 20, is devouring every inch of Maybach, the car that costs 'maybe 100 times' his house in the outskirts of the Delhi's satellite township Noida.

"Can I ever own one like this?" he asks and then sighs: "So what if I can never own one, I at least got to see it up close!"

After spending several minutes staring at the Rs 5 crore (Rs 50 million) Maybach, Naveen moves on.

For most visitors Auto Expo is just about taking an eye-full of the mean, sleek machines, most of them costing much more than their lifetime earnings.

For automakers it is the place to be: to launch new models, to unveil sleek machines, announce new plans and grand alliances, and to take on competition.

For someone like the old Bajaj group, it is the venue to launch its new logo in more than 30 years. For Maruti Suzuki it is a place to return after a year's gap. For Hero Honda it is a show that doesn't matter, so it skips it.

Auto Expo 2004 by far is proving to be a major platform for launching several new models of Indian roads, reaffirming India's role as a major auto market and as a hub for car manufacturing and R&D.

Several vehicles exhibited are not expected to hit Indian roads anytime soon. Several others are indicative of the wide variety of vehicles set to hit India's already over-crowded roads in the coming days.

Bajaj group launched their new exciting logo - 'Inspiring Confidence' - at the Auto Expo and announced plans to double its sales by 2006-07.

It also has showcased its three-wheelers assembled in Indonesia and set to roll out in India in the next three months.

For the Tata group it is a happening exhibition. Ratan Tata unveiled Indigo Marina, the Rs 600,000 station wagon, and a new refurbished Indica V2.

The Tatas also exhibited their new buses. But the two most interesting aspects of the Tatas at the exhibition: One the concept car called Tata Indiva, and Ratan Tata's public statement reaffirming his commitment to launching people's car at about Rs 100,000.

The Hyundai rolled out its Accent Viva, has exhibited the soon to be launched Getz and Elantra, the sedan. Getz and Elantra would hit Indian roads in June, the company announced.

The pavilion is a showcase of Hyundai range, most of them not available in India including the concept vehicle HD-7 and Grandeur XG.

For Maruti Suzuki, selected manufacturer of the year 2003 by CNBC channel, it is an exciting time.

Among its exhibits is the SUV Jimny, Suzuki Twin hybrid car and Concept S, the concept mini car.

This time several international players are also making their presence felt at the exhibition. Audi, its mother group Volkswagen, Nissan and Suzuki are among the noticeable presence.

Audi is set to launch its three models in India by the yearend, but its star attraction is the Audi Coupe 1.8 litre. But mother of all the exhibits is the Maybach that adorns the pride of place in Mercedes hall.

For the younger crowds the bikes are among the key attractions. Suzuki has Hayabusa, one of the fastest bikes in the world, and its two other top end motorbikes -- V-Storm and Bandit.

Kawasaki Ninja, another top-end bike that may not hit Indian roads soon, is exhibited at Bajaj stall. But LML exhibit Graptor, TVS' Centra and new models of Yamaha are among the exhibits that are set to hit Indian

roads soon.

Auto Expo is not all about cars, bikes and SUVs.

There is a section in the automobile industry that is trying to catch the attention: the public transport-segment especially luxury buses.

It is not mere coincidence that the bus segment is fast emerging as a key competition area as the country surges ahead with its massive project to link the four corners with modern roads.

Volvo India has an overhauled version of its B7R luxury bus on exhibition, while Tatas and Ashok Leyland have also launched their luxury buses at the Expo.

Volvo buses, a familiar sight on the Mumbai-Pune superway and otherwise visible in south and west of India, is set to make its entry into north, starting with the Delhi-Jaipur highway, say company officials.

"I would definitely ride in on of these," Naveen Kumar, a Delhi University graduation student says, pointing out at the Volvo's B7R model, before rushing off to catch the crowded local train home.