KATHMANDU:The NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA), the main organization representing automobile businesses in Nepal, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
As part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations, NADA is organizing the 18th edition of the NADA Auto Show in Kathmandu from Tuesday. The event will be held at Bhrikutimandap under the theme ‘From Industry to Employment’.
How was NADA established?
As vehicle imports gradually increased in Nepal, automobile businesses felt the need for an organization that could work for their common interests. In 1975, the Automobile Association of Nepal was established under the leadership of businessman Tolaram Dugad.
As the organization expanded its activities, its name was changed to the Nepal Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in 2004/2005. In 2015, it was renamed NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal.
NADA was established to help organize the automobile market, advocate for policies with the government, contribute to the economy and employment, and improve networking among businesses and their access to consumers.
Over the years, its role has also expanded. NADA has become a common platform for automobile businesses and an important bridge between the government and the private sector.
The organization now brings together automobile businesses, importers, distributors, manufacturers and dealers from across Nepal.
NADA President Surendra Kumar Upreti says the biggest achievement of the organization over the past 50 years has been its transformation from an association of vehicle sellers into an institutional platform representing Nepal’s wider automobile industry.
He says NADA now works in areas including policy advocacy, government-industry dialogue, auto shows, information and records, skill development, international relations, EVs and green mobility.
According to Upreti, Nepal should now think beyond being a country that only imports vehicles and move towards building a complete mobility ecosystem.
How the NADA Auto Show started
As Nepal’s automobile market began to grow, NADA saw the need for a proper platform where businesses could display their products and brands and consumers could learn about new vehicles.
NADA organized its first auto show in 1998. The event had only 26 stalls.
The NADA Auto Show was initially held every two years. As customer interest increased, the event began taking place every year from 2010, mainly targeting Nepal’s major festive season.
This year, the 18th edition of the NADA Auto Show will begin on August 25 .
President Upreti says the NADA Auto Show has gradually developed into an important business platform.
The show has become a major venue for launching new vehicles, promoting brands, connecting directly with customers, promoting auto loans through banks and financial institutions, and showcasing new automobile technologies.
NADA has also established a distinct identity in Nepal’s automobile sector. It continues to engage with the government on policy discussions and advocacy and now has more than 3,200 members.
The organization has also been involved in awareness campaigns related to road safety and reducing road accidents.
18th edition from August 25 at Bhrikutimandap
NADA will organize the 18th edition of the NADA Auto Show from August 25 at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. The event will also mark the organization’s 50th anniversary.
The show will bring together the rapid changes taking place in Nepal’s automobile sector, particularly new EV technologies and sustainable mobility, under one roof.
NADA says its five-decade journey is closely linked with Nepal’s broader economic and industrial development. It expects this year’s event to become an important milestone for the automobile industry.
Electric vehicles will receive special focus at this year’s show. The event will feature two-wheelers, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and automobile components.
Focus on vehicles and products made in Nepal
Locally produced passenger EVs and products assembled or manufactured in Nepal will be among the major attractions at this year’s show.
These will include locally assembled scooters and motorcycles, as well as tires, lubricants, batteries and spare parts.
NADA aims to give visitors the message that Nepal is not only an automobile-importing country. It also has the potential to become more self-reliant in vehicle production in the future.
The association expects the auto show to support the economy and help shape the future direction of Nepal’s automobile industry.
The NADA Auto Show has become more than just an exhibition. It reflects the condition of the automobile market, changing consumer preferences and the direction the industry could take in the coming years.
For this reason, NADA has linked the 18th NADA Auto Show 2026 with its Golden Jubilee celebrations to highlight both its 50-year journey and the future of the automobile industry.
More than 200 stalls
The six-day exhibition will be held at Bhrikutimandap from August 25 to August 30. More than 200 stalls will be set up across an area of around 300,000 square feet.
The show will feature 23 passenger vehicle brands, 17 light commercial vehicle brands, 13 two-wheeler brands, around 70 automobile parts and product stalls, and 10 financial and insurance institutions.
Robotics, artificial intelligence, digital technology and locally produced products will also be among the key highlights.
President Upreti says the 50th-anniversary edition will attempt to connect NADA’s five-decade journey with the future of Nepal’s automobile industry.
The organizers expect around 200,000 visitors over the six days.
To manage the expected crowd, parking will be available at Nepal Police Club, National Trading, Bhadrakali, Sanchaya Kosh Building, Sundhara, the old bus park and other locations.
Free shuttle buses will operate between the external parking areas and Bhrikutimandap.
The exhibition venue will also have CCTV monitoring, wheelchair facilities, an emergency medical team and a traffic information desk.
According to the organizers, visitors booking tickets in advance through official ticketing partner Khalti can receive up to 50% cashback.
The NADA Auto Show from August 25-30 will not only showcase new vehicles. It will also offer a broader picture of the current state of Nepal’s automobile industry and its future direction.
