The 18th edition of the NADA Auto Show 2026 has opened at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, bringing together more than 150 automobile brands and over 200 stalls covering passenger and commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, electric vehicles (EVs), components, tyres, lubricants, spare parts, accessories, garage equipment, financial services and insurance.

Organised by the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA), the exhibition runs until August 30th and coincides with NADA's 50th anniversary, or golden jubilee. Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav inaugurated the event under the theme "From Industry to Employment". It is the second large-scale international automobile exhibition held in Nepal this month.

Spread across around 300,000 square feet, the show features 23 light passenger vehicle brands, 17 light commercial vehicle brands and 13 two-wheeler brands, with more than a dozen new models launched or displayed. EVs are a major focus alongside petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

Chinese brands include BYD, Geely, Aion, Great Wall Motors, Foton, Deepal, Leapmotor, BAIC, Hongqi, Avatr, Changan, Chery and Skywell, while other international brands include Hyundai, Tata, JMEV, Suzuki, Skoda, Proton, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, MG, MHero, Wuling, Royal Enfield, Yamaha and Honda.

Passenger-car brands include Riddara, Aion, JMEV, Tata EV, Suzuki, Deepal, Avatr, Foton, Skoda, Nami, Changan, Proton, BYD, Geely, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, MG, GWM, Leapmotor, MHero, Skywell and Wuling. The light commercial vehicle section features Foton, Sokon, King Long, Higer, Farizon, Jinbei, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, DFSK, Kama, New Gonow Auto, Aucwell, Diego, Skyworth EV, Dongfeng, Kawei Auto, Feidi and Ekta Motors. Two-wheeler brands include Royal Enfield, Yatri, Hero, Vida, Yamaha Racing, Vespa-Aprilia, Ampere, MetaEV, Zonsen, QJ Motor, Miche Auto and Revolt.

Security checks were conducted before the opening, with an army bomb-disposal team and sniffer dogs deployed at the venue.

Focus on local manufacturing

A dedicated "Made in Nepal, Made for Nepal" pavilion features domestically manufactured or assembled vehicles and components. Around eight domestic manufacturers, including Yatri, Asian Wiring, Kohinoor Plastic Industries, Nepal Lube Oil and Purwanchal Lube Oil, are represented with electric motorcycles, automotive batteries, lubricants, helmets, wiring, plastic components and other products.

More than 70 types of automotive components are displayed, around 15 to 20 of which are reportedly manufactured entirely in Nepal. The exhibition also features locally assembled two-wheelers, EV concepts, vehicle batteries and helmets.

NADA President Surendra Kumar Upreti said the sector is gradually moving from vehicle imports towards domestic production and greater self-reliance. He noted that NADA, established 50 years ago to represent vehicle dealers, now covers vehicle sales, assembly, financing, insurance, servicing and parts supply. He said the exhibition is intended to examine Nepal's transportation and mobility sector beyond vehicle sales and that the country could develop automobile manufacturing capabilities if supportive government policies are maintained over the next decade.

NADA Auto Show Committee Chairman Anup Baral said industrialisation through the automotive sector would require domestic capabilities to manufacture smaller components before large-scale manufacturing can be developed. He said the automobile sector currently generates around 100,000 direct jobs and more than one million indirect jobs. Separately, NADA estimates that the sector contributes around NPR 90 billion (US$588.1 million) in state revenue and supports around one million jobs. Baral said further development could create employment in Nepal and reduce the need for young people to seek work abroad.

The sector has received support through monetary policy and the current fiscal year's budget, including provisions allowing financing of up to 80% for commercial vehicles. Baral said the industry is seeking a further increase in the financing limit relative to vehicle prices. He also cited infrastructure challenges, including higher operating and maintenance costs caused by poor roads and additional expenses involved in transporting vehicles from the Rasuwagadhi border to Kathmandu. EVs are also affected by poor road conditions.

Government calls for greater EV adoption

At the opening ceremony, Vice President Yadav called for greater EV adoption and domestic automobile manufacturing, citing Nepal's water resources and expanding hydropower production as opportunities to reduce dependence on imported petrol and diesel.

"The widespread use of electric vehicles will directly help reduce dependence on fuel imports and decrease the country's trade deficit," Yadav said, adding that greater use of domestic clean energy could retain wealth within Nepal while reducing consumer operating costs.

Yadav said green-energy production and maximum utilisation are needed to balance environmental protection with economic development, while EVs could help reduce urban air pollution and carbon emissions and support efforts to address climate change. He called for EVs to be treated as a national priority through policy stability and greater charging infrastructure developed through government-private sector cooperation.

He also highlighted the automobile sector's contribution to government revenue, employment, training and technical skills. According to Yadav, the show enables consumers to obtain direct information on new technologies, fuel efficiency, safety and environmental impacts before purchasing vehicles. It also promotes entrepreneurship in modern garages, service centres and automotive technology start-ups while creating opportunities for skilled employment.

Yatri P2 electric scooter

The Yatri P2 electric scooter, developed through a joint venture between Sipradi Electric Vehicles and Yatri Design Studio and positioned as the first Nepali-brand electric scooter, was unveiled in Kathmandu by Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle.

It uses a mid-drive permanent magnet synchronous motor producing up to 10 kW and 315 Nm of wheel torque, with a top speed of 90 km/h. It is offered with three lithium-ion battery options: 3.0 kWh with a standard range of 90 km, 3.7 kWh with 112 km and 5.2 kWh with 157 km. An optional 1.8 kWh range extender can add 50 km, taking the maximum claimed range to 207 km.

Sipradi is establishing a P2 production plant in Gajuri, Dhading. Yatri founder and CEO Asim Pandey said the scooter is the result of nine years of Nepali engineering, with its motor, battery architecture and software designed and validated in Nepal for local conditions, including hills, heat and monsoon conditions.

Sipradi Trading CEO Rajan Babu Shrestha said the partnership combines Sipradi's automotive-market experience with Yatri's engineering capabilities. The P2 is the first product from the partnership, with additional products planned, while the companies also intend to take technologies developed in Nepal to international markets.

Wagle said the government would support "make in Nepal" initiatives and encouraged the company to compete internationally on quality. A week before the launch, he visited Yatri's research and development facility in Budhanilakantha, where he described the company's electric two-wheeler development as a significant development for Nepal, urged Yatri to expand internationally and asked it to identify the government support required to enter global markets.

P2 pre-bookings begin at the NADA Auto Show, while pricing will be announced at its commercial launch in September. Deliveries of the 3.7 kWh and 5.2 kWh variants are scheduled to begin in mid-October 2026 and continue through November, while the 3.0 kWh variant is scheduled to begin deliveries in December 2026.

Skywell enters market with BE11

Chinese EV brand Skywell has entered Nepal through LRR Motors, which launched the BE11 electric SUV at the show. The five-seat model is available with a 51.91 kWh LFP battery offering a claimed range of up to 410 km or a 71.98 kWh NMC battery with a claimed range of up to 520 km. Both versions use a 150 kW electric motor and 800-volt electrical architecture, with DC fast charging capable of reaching 70% in 35 minutes.

Features include a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, a spacious interior and 198 mm of ground clearance. The 410 km version is priced at NPR 4.999 million, while the Comfort, Luxury and 520 km versions cost NPR 5.599 million, NPR 5.699 million and NPR 6.499 million, respectively. Show prices are reduced to NPR 4.699 million, NPR 5.399 million, NPR 5.499 million and NPR 5.999 million, respectively.

LRR Motors is displaying the BE11 at stall H19. The company had previously indicated that the model would be positioned at an aggressive price, while warranty details are being announced alongside the formal launch.

Avatr launches all-new 07

CG MAW Evolution has launched the Avatr 07 premium electric SUV in Nepal. The model was jointly unveiled by MAW Group Chairman Vishnu Kumar Agarwal, Chaudhary Group Managing Director Nirvana Chaudhary, Changan International Corporation representative Du Kaijian (Kevin) and MAW Vriddhi Managing Director Vivek Sikaria.

The Avatr 07 uses an 82.16 kWh LFP battery with a claimed NEDC range of up to 575 km. Its rear-wheel-drive system produces 190 kW and 365 Nm, enabling 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7.7 seconds.

The cabin includes a 35.4-inch 4K panoramic display, 15.6-inch central touchscreen, Nappa leather upholstery, 64-colour ambient lighting and a 16-speaker Pioneer audio system, along with zero-gravity front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 50W wireless smartphone charger. Safety equipment includes nine airbags and intelligent driver-assistance systems supported by LiDAR, high-definition cameras and ultrasonic radars.

The Avatr 07 is priced at NPR 22 million, while the Avatr 07 with FHD costs NPR 23 million.

Deepal Nevo showcased

The Deepal Nevo is being showcased as another EV option, using a 120 kW electric motor and a 52 kWh battery with a claimed range of up to 405 km under Nepalese road conditions and 185 mm of ground clearance. It has a regular MRP of NPR 5.199 million, reduced to NPR 4.999 million for customers booking or purchasing it during the show. More than 80% of the interior uses soft-touch materials, while other features include a sunroof and a 540-litre boot.

New NAMMI Box

NAMMI is preparing to introduce the New NAMMI Box EV at the show. The model was first introduced in Nepal in 2024, and the company says more than 2,000 NAMMI vehicles are already operating on the country's roads. Following the introduction of the NAMMI Vigo E2, the New NAMMI Box will expand the brand's range in Nepal, with complete specifications, features and pricing being announced at the exhibition.

EV charging and battery management

EVs are a major focus of the show, reflecting their increasing presence in Nepal's automotive market. Ankit Dahal, head of training and business development at BYD, said the company plans to establish a battery repair centre in Nepal.

Charging infrastructure has expanded compared with two to four years ago, with charging stations now available along most major highways at intervals of around 50 to 60 kilometres. The Nepal Electricity Authority and private companies are investing in charging infrastructure, although coverage remains limited in remote areas. Some locations lack sufficient electricity to operate charging stations, while weak transmission networks and voltage fluctuations create additional challenges.

Dahal said EV adoption in Nepal is relatively high by global standards, but improved electricity and road infrastructure in rural areas would help address charging limitations.

Battery management is also becoming more important as EV adoption increases. Most manufacturers provide battery warranties of eight to 10 years, while many electric cars use LFP batteries with relatively long service lives. Batteries do not necessarily need to be discarded after warranties expire, as cells retaining sufficient capacity can be reused for applications such as solar-energy storage.

Dahal said battery disposal should be considered only as a final option. BYD has partnered with companies in China and India involved in battery management, repair and reuse and plans to establish a basic battery repair centre in Nepal by the end of 2026. The initial facility will operate on a small scale, separating damaged cells from battery packs and repairing and reusing cells that remain serviceable.

Broader automotive industry outlook

The NADA Auto Show brings together international brands, EVs, conventional vehicles, locally assembled products, Nepali-developed technologies, components and supporting services, reflecting changes in Nepal's automotive market.

NADA officials said developing a domestic automotive industry will require consistent long-term government policy, stronger infrastructure, greater investment and the development of domestic component-manufacturing capabilities. The exhibition also highlights the role of EVs, domestic assembly, locally developed technologies and charging and battery-support infrastructure in Nepal's transportation and mobility sector.

Beyond vehicle sales, the event is being used to promote industrialisation, employment, technical skills and investment, with NADA positioning the automotive industry as a potential source of domestic manufacturing growth and employment under the theme "From Industry to Employment".