2017 MIAS poised to ride industry’s 2016 record-breaking sales momentum

The 2017 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) which opens today at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila is all set to ride the automotive industry’s 2016 record-breaking sales momentum.

Aside from the public launching of new models, off-road test drives on simulated 4×4 obstacle courses, awesome precision driving by Russ Swift, the display of vintage and classic cars, customized tuner cars and the newest trucks and commercial vehicles, the 13th MIAS will entice visitors to buy new motor vehicles via special promos and discounted prices.

MIAS co-presentor BPI Family Auto Loans will offer quick and easy loan processing during the four days of the show, March 30 to April 2.

MIAS exhibitors look forward to the resumption of surging consumer demand initiated by the industry’s unprecedented sales of 417,356 vehicles in 2016,

way above the 370,000 goal for last year and representing a robust 24.6 percent sales growth over 2015 by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association plus a remarkable 60 percent growth compared to 2015 by the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID).

Motivation

Prospective buyers looking over the cars on display will be motivated not only by special promos and other incentives, but also by the specter of a looming excise tax increase on new car purchases.

For the first time, MIAS will have a Truck Tent Pavilion where heavy duty trucks, buses and commercial vehicles will be shown. 

The new section of the show gives cognizance to this growing segment of the market as indicated by the recent entry therein of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. to compete with Fuso, Hino, Isuzu, Scania, Daewoo, Foton, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo trucks.

Although the usual participants of the MIAS are AVID members since CAMPI has its own Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) every other year, several CAMPI members like Honda Cars, Mazda, Volkswagen and Foton will be showing their latest offerings.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation, a CAMPI member, will submit token participation by displaying in the WTC lobby its D-Max pickup, which won the 2016 Truck of the Year title from the Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI).

Revelations and launches

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), whose president/CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo founded and heads AVID, will reveal the Genesis G90 5.0-liter V8, Hyundai’s first luxury sedan, and the Creta 1.6-liter CRDi VGT subcompact crossover/SUV.

Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda, is launching three new SkyActiv-G (G-Vectoring Control) models: the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF (Retractable Fastback) sports car otherwise known as the topdown Miata, the latest CX-5 five-seat compact crossover and all-new, second generation CX-9 seven-seat premium crossover.

In addition, Bermaz Auto will display the Mazda6 SkyActiv-D diesel variant, CX-3 Freestyle crossover in Activ All-Wheel-Drive trim, the 2017 Mazda3 Speed with GVC, the Mazda2 Premium Series and the top-end Mazda2 RS.  Outdoors, the 2017 BT-50 pickup will be shown.

The Mazda2 SkyActiv race car driven by Philippine Touring Car Championship class winner and GT Driver of the Year for touring cars Edwin Rodriguez will also

be on display to showcase the 2016 championship-winning campaign of Mazda Philippines in the country’s national circuit racing series.

The latest members of the Mazda Collection will be unveiled at 2:30 p.m. on March 30.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. is showing off its 2016 Car of the Year winner, the Honda Civic RS Turbo and the dream car of Honda enthusiasts, the latest

iteration of the Civic Type R,

the concept prototype of which was shown at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show and the production model at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.

Known as Honda’s mightiest mite, the 2016 Type R is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injected turbo VTEC engine packing 306 hp at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm.

The first-ever turbocharged Type R, it hits redline at 7,000 rpm and has a 6-speed manual transmission only—no automatics or placid CVTs for this hottest of hot Hondas.

The front-wheel-drive Type R, fitted with four modes of adjustable dampers, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels shod with ultra-low profile tires, Dual Axis Front Suspension and a towering rear wing, rockets from zero to 100 kph in a blistering 5.7 seconds. Its top speed is 270 kph.

Hot challenger

Another superb car that will surely draw crowds at MIAS is the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, an American muscle car, a two-door coupe powered by a robust 707 hp V8 engine. 

The Auto Nation Group, which distributes Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles, will also exhibit the Jeep Moparized Wrangler V6, a big, beefy 285-hp extreme off-roader.

 Volkswagen Philippines, a CAMPI member like Honda, has a new president, Arthur Tan, who apparently decided to put on a big show with no less than nine VW vehicles arrayed.

VW PH will introduce the all-new Tiguan, a 1.4-liter, turbocharged compact SUV; and the Crafter L, a 9-seater, 2.0-liter turbocharged direct injection (TDI) van.

MIAS visitors will also get to see Volkswagen’s 7-seater, 2.0-liter 4Motion TDI Caddy MPV which debuted at the PIMS last year; an accessorized 7-seater 2.0-liter TDI Touran Comfortline variant; the 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder, 4Motion Touareg Sport Edition; the 2.0-liter turbocharged stratified injection (TSI) Passat Business Edition; an accessorized 2.0-liter TSI Golf GTI, the “ultimate sportsman” in the VW family; the 1.6-liter Polo Club Edition hatchback and sedan; and the 1.4-liter TSI Beetle Club Edition.

Cash discounts

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc., the distributor of Foton vehicles, will display in the main hall the all-new Gratour Midi trucks in various body customizations: MPV, F-Van, Wing Van, Dropside, patrol jeep and jeepney, while in the Truck Tent Pavilion the Tornado C 2.2. Toano Executive, Toano Ambulance, Tractor heads (ETX 4×2 and GTL 6X4) and wheel loader will be present.

Foton is offering special discounts to cash payment buyers of the Toplander Extreme 4×4 SUV with up to P200,00 cash discount and a P100,000 cash discount for the Thunder 4×2 pickup.

Meanwhile, AVID members like Ford, Subaru, Chevrolet, Volvo Cars, Mercedes-Benz, Tata and Mahindra are also expected to showcase their best offerings at the 13th MIAS.

Motorcycle aficionados will be glad to know that Harley-Davidson and KTM will be participating, too.

Bottom line, riding the wave of record-setting growth in sales last year and presenting an eclectic mixture of the latest in modern mobility, the 2017 Manila International Auto Show is destined to eclipse last year’s show in attendance as well as on-the-spot sales.