Vivek Oberoi inaugurates the Mid-Day Auto Expo in Mumbai

Vivek Oberoi at the Mid-Day Auto Expo/Pic: Shadab Khan

The Mid-Day Auto Expo saw automobile enthusiasts making their way to R City Mall, Ghatkopar, over the weekend to check out amazing upgrades and additions to their favourite brands. Of course, the visitors were wore masks and every precaution was taken to facilitate their safety.

The Mid-Day Auto Expo provides a unique experience and the best part about the event is that it is a one-stop point that gives a peek into some of the most exquisite dream machines. Some of the participating brands included BMW, Jeep, Land Rover and Renault.

The 7th edition of Mid-Day Auto Expo began with Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi inaugurating it. BJP MLA Parag Shah also graced the occasion.

Oberoi is a self-confessed automobile enthusiast. Speaking about the same, he said, "People like me who are automobile junkies, who like anything with wheels on them, we look forward to such events."

He expressed that events like these have been curtailed due to Covid-19. He congratulated Mid-Day for organizing it and said, "Kudos to Mid-Day for pulling it off so beautifully." Further talking about the event, he said, "I'm glad to see a great representation of global brands and make-in-India brands." He continued, "When I was growing up, we had Ambassadors, Fiat Padmini, Contessa and we had Esteems. Esteem was like the coolest car. But today, when my kids are growing up, the Indian automobile sector is such a thriving market and I'm seeing so many cool electric vehicle startups coming up. I invest a lot in startups. I co-founded and am a chief strategy officer for so many startups. I see in the startup segment the cool companies are creating such fantastic technology. I think India's going to be a phenomenal hub. So, more power to the Mid-Day group and the Auto Expo."

Oberoi's current favourite is the Harley Davidson bike. "I'm enjoying my Heritage Softail. It is a great bike, really loud sound. If I wake up for an early morning ride, I make sure the whole neighbourhood wakes up. It's a great fun machine," he said. He also mentioned that he is excited about a bunch of other four wheelers which are coming out. "I'm excited that Tesla is coming to India. Model X is my personal favourite. Love the car…whenever I'm in the US and in the UK, I try to lease it to use it," said Oberoi. He added, "I am super excited about my friend Anand Mahindra's new Thar. I got a chance to drive it in Assam. I was in a tea garden and the owner had just bought this perfect red coloured Thar and I just jumped into it and started driving all around this 1,200 acre tea garden. Even in that rough pathway, it was so smooth and powerful. It was such a great ride."

Talking about an automobile which has the most sentimental value to him, he said, "My first ever car which was my jeep. I was only 18 when I won an international drama festival and my father gifted me my first set of wheels. I still have it. It is a CJ340, and an open top jeep. She's gorgeous and am absolutely in love with her, even today. My kids - it is their favourite car - whenever they get a chance, they like to pile onto it and we all drive."

The actor also expressed his love for Mid-Day and said, "My favourite thing about Mid-Day is that it has got its own uniqueness as a paper. It not only encapsulates what is happening in the world but also what is happening in my city. It is very personal to me."