Motoring 2014: Top auto shows and events

By Alvin Uy
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December 26,2014

Here are the most notable ones, starting in chronological order – the Manila International Auto Show, Trans Sport Show, Philippine International Motor Show, Manila Auto Salon and Bumper-to-Bumper Car Show.   Most if not all of the organizers of these events have indicated record attendance in their respective events, fueling theauto industry’s new vehicles sales to new heights as well as pump-priming the economic ecology its allied industries and services.

Held last April at the World Trade Center and Philippine Trade Training Center combined, the Manila International Auto Show(MIAS) reported a new attendance record of over 102,000 visitors this year. Now on its 10th year, this figure was up by about 6% from its 2013 visitor count, breaking the 100,000 mark this year.  With over 20,000 square meters of indoor and 10,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition space, it is the country’s biggest motoring event. With over 400 brand new, classic and custom cars on display, MIAS also included a motorcycle display pavilion this year with the participation of the members of the MDPPA (Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association). These included the country’s top brands in the motorcycle industry. The ten-year old annual event also saw a number of new auto brands in the market and held the public unveiling of several new car models as well as the public brand introduction of Rolls-Royce, Volkswagen, BYD and TATA Motors, with a total of 28 participating car brands.

The country’s longest running auto event Trans Sport Show held its 23rd installment last May at the SMX Conventional Hall at SM MOA.  Known as an incubator for up-and-coming showcar restorers and the battleground for veteran restorers out to compete for the “Best of Show” title each year, this year’s event saw some retro-inspired exhibits including the classic Mustang of showcar veteran and event hall of famer Alex Isip, celebrating the Mustang’s 50th anniversary year. The show also saw the exclusive model launch of the now famous Maserati Ghibli.

Last September, the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) held its 5th installment and despite a one-day setback on its second day because of heavy flooding across the metro because of tropical storm Mario, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), organizers the four-day motor show disclosed that the showhad a record turnover of 90,000 visitors, nearly doubling its 2012 figures. The biennial motor show mainly focuses on displaying brand new cars from participating CAMPI members and reported that it also had the largest exhibit participation this year with a total of 17 participating car manufacturers and distributors. Aside from brand new cars, there were some concept cars specially brought in for the event.

The Manila Auto Salon, held last November also at the SMX is a showcase of how much extreme cars and off-road trucks can be modified and customized. With typhoons and monsoon rains perennially creating floods and wrecking havoc in our streets, thisshow has seen more and more 4×4 off-road set ups participating in the event. Also seen this year were the introduction of more exotic body kits including brands like Liberty Walk and RWB with body panels kits costing more than your average brand new subcompact cars.

A week after the Manila Auto Salon, the biggest outdoor auto event Bumper to Bumper X made its 10th annual installment with over 300 custom and classic cars on display. Most of its car exhibits vie for showcar awards in dozens of categories set by its organizers.  The event is known for its gorgeous and sometimes scantily-clad carshow girl models but this year, it added a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) exhibition match as an added attraction for its predominantly male target audience.

Aside from car shows like these, because of the popular use of social media and a growing number of motoring websites, forums and fanpages, auto industry players like car manufacturers and distributors and even after market companies see the value of supporting smaller events like car club meets, collegiate car shows, race track days and “fun runs” (road trips held by groups of car owners). These companies realize by creating or joining these types of activities further enhance brand loyalty, word-of-mouth endorsements and overall car ownership experience, all signs of a maturing automotive industry and a more discerning market.

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