NAIMA Debuts as Nepal’s New Auto Industry Body, Announces Mobility Expo 2025

Nepal’s automotive sector enters a new chapter with the official announcement of the launch of the Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).

For decades, the NADA Automobile Association of Nepal served as the nation’s primary representative of the mobility sector. However, internal disagreements within the organization led to the formation of NAIMA which is a new, independent body established to challenge the status quo and create a more progressive, collaborative, and politically neutral platform.

NAIMA emerged from factions within NADA that felt the need for a fresh direction.

The organization aims to coexist with NADA while actively addressing critical issues such as regulatory gaps, infrastructure development, and strategic market planning.

Despite the apparent divide, both NADA and NAIMA have publicly addressed the matter, expressing a mutual respect and cooperation. They remain optimistic about coexisting while working towards common goals for the advancement of Nepal’s mobility sector.

NAIMA also prioritizes empowering industry stakeholders, raising consumer awareness, and promoting road safety. Guided by the slogan “Mobility For All”, NAIMA aims to build a balanced and inclusive automotive ecosystem in Nepal.

The organization have a clear focus on promoting cleaner internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and fully electric vehicles. At the same time, it intends to advocate for more effective automotive policies and ensures their continuous evaluation to support sustainable mobility solutions.

Alongside its official debut, NAIMA announced the Nepal Mobility Expo, scheduled for August 6–10, 2025 (21st–25th Shrawan, 2082) at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu.

The event is set to become Nepal’s largest-ever mobility exhibition, promising to reshape how the industry connects with consumers, innovators, and policymakers.

Also, NAIMA has announced that booth rates for the Nepal Mobility Expo 2025 will be 25% lower than those of similar events. Moreover, attendees will also benefit from discounted entry tickets.

In addition, the expo will feature dedicated media days and exclusive networking sessions designed to connect industry professionals.

Chairperson Ritu Singh Vaidya, outlined NAIMA’s unique approach. She confirmed that the association will not conduct elections and will instead operate through consensus-based decision-making and voluntary leadership.

This structure, she explained, will ensure transparency, unity, and a shared allegiance to long-term industry development. NAIMA also brings together some of the most influential names in Nepal’s auto industry.

The founding board includes Suhrid Raj Ghimire, Shekhar Golchha, Cabinet Shrestha, Saurabh Jyoti, Sandeep Kumar Sharda, Nirakar Shrestha, Yamuna Shrestha, Nikunj Agrawal, Hemant Golchha, and Udayan Kabra.

Guided by its vision: “Empowering Growth through Mobility”, NAIMA has laid out five core pillars that define its mission:

• Mobility Solutions for All
• Safety and Infrastructure Enhancement
• Policy and Regulatory Advocacy
• Human Capital and Industry Best Practices
• Consumer Empowerment and Shared Mobility

The association aims to bring positive changes in the automotive ecosystem of Nepal by bringing the governmental bodies, the private sector, and civil society to the same plane in this regard.

(Press Release)