The 18th NADA Auto Show 2026 in its 50th Year: A New Chapter of Technology, EVs, and Domestic Production

August 20, Kathmandu.

In the Nepali automobile market, the NADA Auto Show is not just an exhibition; it is established as a platform that showcases the industry’s condition, consumer interest, and future direction. For this reason, NADA has prepared the 18th NADA Auto Show 2026 to deliver an even broader message, linking it with the golden jubilee of its 50th founding year.

The exhibition, to be held from August 25 to 30 at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, will feature more than 200 stalls. Spanning approximately 300,000 square feet, the auto show will include 23 brands of passenger cars, 17 brands of light commercial vehicles, 13 brands of two-wheelers, 70 stalls for automobile parts and products, and the participation of 10 financial and insurance institutions.

However, this time NADA has not sought to limit the auto show’s identity solely to vehicle displays. Robotics, AI, digital technology, and domestic production have been placed at the center of the exhibition. According to NADA General Secretary Milan Babu Malla, this edition, organized on the occasion of its 50th year, will attempt to showcase the relationship between NADA’s five-decade journey and the future of the automobile sector.

‘The Auto Show is no longer just a place to see cars’

According to Malla, the automobile sector is currently undergoing a phase of rapid change. Along with the transition from petrol-diesel to electric vehicles, the use of AI, connectivity, and automation in vehicles is increasing.

“Currently, an automobile is not just a vehicle. It is a large ecosystem connected with technology, mobility, employment, financial services, and industry. Therefore, our vision is that this change should also be visible at the Auto Show,” says Malla.

In line with this vision, visitors this time will be able to directly observe ‘GI Humanoid’ and ‘GO-2 Quadruped’ robots. Arrangements are also being made so that details of a particular vehicle can be obtained digitally through AI technology when scanning a QR code placed on the vehicle.

According to Malla, technology is being utilized not merely as an exhibition attraction but as a means to enhance the visitor experience.

“We don’t just want to show visitors cars and send them away. Our goal is for them to understand the vehicles, compare them, and experience where technology is taking our mobility in the future,” he says.

A separate identity for ‘Made in Nepal’

Another significant aspect of this year’s auto show is the ‘Made in Nepal and Made for Nepal’ pavilion. For the first time in the history of the auto show, vehicles and automobile materials manufactured and assembled in Nepal will be prominently displayed through a separate pavilion.

Motorcycles made in Nepal, domestically assembled scooters and bikes, along with tires, lubricants, batteries, helmets, and spare parts will also be featured here.

For Malla, this is not just a pavilion but an effort to change perceptions about Nepali industry.

“We must gradually change the perception that production is not possible in Nepal. If industries are established domestically, they will create employment, develop skills, and add value to the economy. Therefore, giving ‘Made in Nepal’ a separate space at the Auto Show is our priority,” he says.

The main slogan of the auto show is also ‘From Industry to Employment’. According to NADA, the automobile sector contributes approximately 18 percent to total customs revenue and 22 to 25 percent to overall national revenue. NADA claims that this sector is directly linked to the employment of about 100,000 people and indirectly to about 1 million people.

According to Malla, this fact demonstrates that the automobile sector should not be understood merely as a business of vehicle import and sale.

“Considering the employment and revenue linked to the automobile sector, it is a crucial part of the economy. Therefore, to strengthen the industry long-term, we must work simultaneously on all aspects: policy, investment, infrastructure, and technology,” he says.

Policy Debate Alongside EVs

This year’s auto show will feature a significant presence of electric vehicles. Various brands are preparing to launch new EV models. Symposiums on smart mobility, sustainable transportation, and connectivity will also be organized.

According to Malla, with the expansion of the EV market, the need for charging infrastructure, technical personnel, service networks, and stable policies has also increased.

“Increasing EV sales alone is not sufficient. Along with that, charging infrastructure, skilled human resources, service, and policy stability are also required. The current debate should focus on how to strengthen this overall system,” he says.

Easy Management for Visitors

Organizers expect approximately 200,000 visitors to the six-day exhibition. With crowd management in mind, parking arrangements will be made at Nepal Police Club, National Trading, Sundhara, Sanchay Kosh Bhawan, Old Bus Park, and other locations. Free shuttle buses will operate from the outer parking areas to Bhrikutimandap.

The exhibition venue will also feature CCTV surveillance, wheelchair facilities, an emergency health team, and a traffic information desk. Organizers have announced that up to 50% cashback will be provided when booking advance tickets through the official ticketing partner, Khalti.

Malla’s final message regarding the 18th Auto Show, being organized in NADA’s 50th year, extends beyond mere market concerns.

“Our goal is not merely to organize a successful auto show. From the journey NADA has undertaken in 50 years, we must also initiate a discussion about where to take the Nepali automobile industry next. If the industry becomes strong, employment and the economy will also strengthen alongside business,” he says.

Therefore, the auto show at Bhrikutimandap from August 25 to 30 will not only feature new vehicles. A clear picture of the Nepali automobile industry’s current state and its future journey will also be visible.

For more: 18th NADA Auto Show Celebrating 50 Years