The sixth annual edition of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) proved to be a smashing success, with more than 78,000 visitors trooping to the World Trade Center. Visitors viewed more than 200 cars on display at the WTC Main Hall; there were also more than 80 restored classic and modified cars on display at the airconditioned tent annex—most of these participated in the MIAS Custom and Classic Car Competition.
Some of the show highlights:
Mazda had the biggest booth to show its complete lineup and to launch the Mazda6
Mazda drew a large crowd of media and car enthusiasts during its launch of the Mazda6 executive sedan. Ford Group Philippines President Rick Baker and Vice-president for Sales and Marketing Steven Tan were on hand to reveal the revised car. Mazda used their 493-square meter exhibit area to display their 2010 lineup, including the recently-launched Mazda2 hatchback and sedan. To highlight the Mazda2’s being the lightest in its class, each wheel was propped up on several soda cans. Talk about Coke light! Mazda also had an extensive test drive launch area located near the WTC driveway.
Land Rover Terrapod Experience
Showing off the off-roading capability of Land Rover’s vehicle range, including the Defender, Freelander, and Range Rover was the Terrapod Experience, a unique setup consisting of steel structures and obstacles mounted on the MIAS front lawn. The vehicles were put through their paces by the experts of the Land Rover Club. We were treated to a test ride ourselves, and it was impressive to experience the Defender climb the sharp uphill slope and descend, all without the driver touching the accelerator—thanks to the LR’s anti-stall technology.
Chevrolet Launches Cruze Philippine Touring Carr
Chevrolet’s all-new Cruze compact car, with its BMW-like driving dynamics, is ripe for conversion into a racing machine. Modified by the Blanco Race Engineering team headed by Pacho Blanco, the Chevy Cruze PhTC is ready to pound the local racing circuits. The Cruze PhTC, based on a Cruze 1.8 LS Manual variant, spearheads the Chevy Motorsports Program. We have not seen a local works team for quite a few years, and we hope that this is the start of something big. The motorsports-themed Chevy booth also featured Don Pastor’s racing school and the kid-magnet yellow Camaro.
Russ Swift Returns
Amazing MIAS visitors for the fourth year in a row was British precision driver Russ Swift. Guinness world-record holder Russ pushed the boundaries of his patented reverse J-turn and parallel parking maneuvers. A white Subaru WRX with a potently rumbling engine proved up to the task of performing in Russ’ dance routine, while a blue WRX STi smoked both WTC driveways, the front for an exclusive feature on Umagang Kay Ganda, and the tight rear driveway for the packed regular shows. Starfire provided the tires for the Russ Swift show, and Rota the alloy wheels.
Custom and Classic Car Competition
Some of the country’s most desirable classic and modified cars were on display at MIAS. Taking the Best of Show top prize was the 1965 Ford Mustang entered by Alex Restoration; the car is owned by Director Edgar Mortiz. That car also won Best in Paint, Best Interior, and Best Golden Era Modified. Runner-up Best of Show was the 1969 Toyota Crown of Glenn Avilon, entered by Classic Auto Club. The Hyundai Starex of Jworks / Art Galang won the Motolite Best Engine Display award, while Sammy Liuson of Wheel Gallery bagged the Best Car Display for the Mitsubishi Pajero Evo.
PS Bank: Official Auto Loans Sponsor
Exclusive auto loans sponsor PS Bank established a mini-branch at MIAS, to make applications and approvals much more convenient. PS Bank also highlighted their rebate program, where early payment of one’s
Yokohama Wins Best Booth
The Yokohama dancers weren’t the only knockout attractions at MIAS. This year, the Japanese tiremaker’s booth itself was the center of attention. With its eye-catching flooring, distinctive lighting and creative display of its products, Yokohama brought a new level to displaying that all-important automotive footwear. This earned for the company the nod as MIAS Best Booth.
Motul
Not be outdone was the booth of Motul. No less than five Ford GTs were arranged in an amazingly symmetric display that redefined “flower power.” In another part of the Motul booth, cars like the Mustang GT500 and Porsche Turbo comprised another display of exotic machinery. The assembly easily packed more than 3500 horsepower. The Motul booth takes the prize this year in sheer awesomeness.
Mitsubishi Motors shows off the Lancer Ralliart
Just behind its chief rival, the impressively bright Mitsubishi booth centered on the newly-launched Lancer Ralliart. The Ralliart pips the Subaru WRX with its 240-hp turbo inline-four, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission based on the Evo X’s.
Dunlop, Toyo, and Repsol
To highlight its extensive range of high-performance tires, Dunlop and Toyo tires mounted them on a variety of exotic cars and motorbikes. The group also featured an hour-long light-and-sound variety show to launch its new products to the media and to the public.
By Jason K. Ang | Photos By Jason K. Ang & Ulysses Ang
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