This coming weekend, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) will once again showcase the latest and newest car models available in the local market. Aside from this, other highlights of the event include highly customized and classic cars of several genres, the latest aftermarket accessories and equipment in the auto industry.
Some 100,000 visitors are expected to trek to this four-day auto show, and with the long holiday weekend, organizers are expecting another banner year as car buyers get to choose their dream car on this one-stop-shop venue MIAS has always been known for.
Jill Ang, the managing director of Worldbex Services International, organizers of the MIAS, said that because of the buoyant economy, over a hundred companies from the automotive and motorcycle as well as the aftermarket industry joined the show.
More than a dozen new models are expected to debut and be previewed in MIAS, among them are Chevrolet Sail sedan, Hyundai Veloster Turbo GDi, Jeep Unlimited Sport, Kia Sportage, Peugeot 308 GTI, Subaru Forester and the Tata Super Ace van.
Hyundai will also debut will its full line of commercial vehicles after its recent appointment with Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.
Other highlight models include the NGCC (new generation compact car) line up of Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover’s new Discovery Sport and Jaguar’s XE sedan.
Subaru is also expected to showcase its Viziv2 Concept car. It is a crossover concept car with a cutting-edge styling and modern interior, the Viziv 2 Concept has a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
New brands and distributors
Korean auto brand Ssangyong has recently announced its return to the Philippine market, under Malaysian-owned Berjaya Group.
The brand is set to officially introduce its Korando and Tivoli SUVs and Rodius MPV at the MIAS. It is South Korea’s fourth largest automobile manufacturer, with over 60 years of manufacturing experience.
The brand started off making jeeps for the US army, as well as trucks and buses. India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Limited acquired 70% of the company in 2011. The Berjaya Group is also the distributor of Mazda automobiles in the country.
Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), following its appointment by South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co. (HMC) as its official distributor of commercial vehicles will debut its full line up at the MIAS.
HARI president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said the company expects to sell around 800 units of trucks and buses this year, or about 10 percent of the market share at a press conference, and further announced that this figure is forecasted to increase to about 2,000 units by 2020.
HARI and HMC formalized the partnership last February with the signing of an agreement that would enable the local distributor to start selling Category 3 and 4 Hyundai trucks and buses here.
Shop and save
For the fifth consecutive year, BPI Auto Loans is the event’s official presentor and auto loans partner. There will be a special booth at the World Trade Center’s lobby as well as a pavilion at the building’s main hall to welcome car buyers who are looking to finance their car purchases.
BPI will be able to cater to people who want to buy cars on-the-spot or through an easy and hassle-free credit application.
Other event highlights
As a supporting event, MIAS continues to hold its Petron-MIAS Custom Classic Car Competition with almost 100 cars vying for top honors competing for the best-of-show and other category wins.
The Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) is also holding its annual Driver of the Year gala awards night on the first day of the MIAS, honoring the country’s top drivers in various motorsport disciplines.
One of the continuing attractions of the MIAS is the spectacular daily stunt performance of UK’s precision driver Russ Swift, who will once again fly to Manila to perform using high performance Subaru models.
Biggest motoring event
With two compounds and four buildings in one big show, namely the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Worldbex Services has constructed air-conditioned connecting linkways joining the four independent building structures to ensure a seamless exhibit experience that will allow visitors to hop from one building to another without having to go outdoors.
Visit the Manila International Auto Show from April 7 to 10, with show hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (Thursday to Sunday) at the World Trade Center and Philippine Trade Training Center.
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