The reknowned Center for Automotive Research (CAR), based in Ann Arbor, MI, is a non-profit organization focused on automotive industry research. Grant money provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Mott Foundation has enabled CAR to organize a series of trade missions aimed at helping US Suppliers expand into overseas markets.

The 3rd trade mission in this series is scheduled for January 5-12, 2008 with the objective of taking up to 15 companies from 5 mid-western states to Auto Expo India 2008, in New Delhi, India. This leading show in the Indian automotive sector takes places every two years. The automotive market in India is experiencing tremendous growth, presenting exceptional opportunities for U.S. companies.

Auto Expo 2006 is organized by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The first Auto Expo was held in 1986 and since then it has been institutionalized as a biennial event. Auto Expo 2006 had participation from 1150 organizations, which included 300 overseas companies from 22 countries, and attracted 1.1 million visitors of which 150,000 were business related.

Companies producing automotive components, production machinery, testing equipment, robotics equipment, and other automotive-related technologies and services in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois & Missouri are invited to apply.

Normal fee is $4,500. However there is no cost to companies from Michigan. Companies from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois & Missouri traveling with local economic developers also participate at no cost. All participants are responsible for hotel, airfare and incidental expenses. For full description of pricing see website link.

The mission agenda includes: two days of one-on-one meetings with prospective business partners, market briefings by US Commercial Service staff, two days visiting the "Auto Expo India" Show, printed Mission Directory distributed during the show, a high-level networking reception at the Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs' residence, the opportunity to invite business contacts to that reception, organized tour of an automobile manufacturing plant, and optional booth space in US Pavilion at the show, for an additional charge.