As the NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2026 gets underway at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall in Kathmandu, the Nepal automobile industry is showcasing not only the latest vehicles and mobility technologies, but also a broader vision for the future of mobility in the country. The six-day expo, running from 11- 16 August, features 55 brands, up from 42 at the inaugural edition. For NAIMA President and Founding Chairperson Ritu Singh Vaidya, however, the organisation's ambitions extend well beyond organising an automobile exhibition. Building an industry around responsibility The Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) was established to bring together established automobile importers and manufacturers while encouraging greater accountability within the industry. NAIMA has stringent membership requirements, including at least three years of operation, a minimum paid-up capital of Rs. 5 crore and a formal contract with a manufacturing company in the country of origin. For Vaidya, these requirements reflect the responsibility associated with selling automobiles. 'Automobile, after all, is a very, very important part of a person's life,' she said, stressing that responsibility extends beyond selling a vehicle to ensuring the availability of spare parts, trained technicians, workshops and after-sales services. With Nepal also exploring vehicle assembly and rapidly adopting new technologies, she believes safety and responsible industry practices must remain central. Creating a culture of learning While facilitating sales through platforms such as the mobility expo remains an important part of NAIMA's work, Vaidya sees policy advocacy and education as equally important. 'How do we make a more educated customer, more educated departments in the government, more educated traffic police?' she said. NAIMA has already been working closely with traffic police, including providing training on EV and hybrid technology to around 1,600 traffic personnel. The association has also entered into a five-year engagement with traffic police for continued collaboration. Following the expo, NAIMA plans to launch a public awareness campaign focused on road signage and traffic rules, aimed at helping motorists better understand basic road markings and regulations. For Vaidya, this culture of continuous learning will become increasingly important as new technologies emerge. 'Even if tomorrow, we have hydrogen technology, we should be able to teach all our partners what hydrogen technology is, how does it work,' she said. A bigger, more connected expo This year's expo has expanded to 55 brands, with several additional improvements based on lessons from the inaugural edition. Visitors can expect dedicated parking at the Blue Pavilion Hall, improved crowd management and corridor space, Pathao discounts, restaurant partnerships, charging facilities, and banking, insurance and other mobility-related services. The expo also features learning sessions covering issues including FDI and investment, reinforcing NAIMA's belief that mobility is closely connected to Nepal's broader economy. 'Mobility is for all and it cannot be looked at as a secluded sector. It facilitates every sector,' Vaidya said. Policy consistency is key Asked what single policy change could have the greatest impact on Nepal's automobile industry, Vaidya's answer was clear- consistency in government policy. 'What the automobile industry or any other industry really needs right now from government is consistency in policy,' she said. Looking ahead, Vaidya envisions NAIMA as a strong, member-led and apolitical organisation focused on policy advocacy, knowledge-sharing and responsible industry development. As the NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2026 continues, that vision suggests that Nepal's mobility future is not simply about the vehicles people drive, but about building a safer, better-informed and more resilient ecosystem around them.