IN THE METAL. That is how spectators at the opening of the Manila International Auto Show last April 7 felt when they came face to face with the cars, the lights, the sounds and the energy of what auto enthusiasts and the industry call “the country’s premier auto show.”
At the end of three days, the organizers, Worldbex Incorporated counted 120,000 visitors–20,000 or so fewer that the last MIAS in 2019–but 40,000 more than their original expectations. The just lifted lockdown prescriptions and continuing Alert Level 1 were ‘caveats’ to most public events, but MIAS opened its doors to a full house on day one.
The event’s opening was graced by Albert Suansing, Senior Consultant to Secretary Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DoTr), who was unable to attend. Joe Ferreira, Automotive Association of the Philippines(AAP) President joined Peter Eric Pardo, Chief of Staff, Pasay City Mayor’s Office during opening day.
Russ Swift, the well-loved British stunt driver, and an almost permanent fixture at the MIAS since 2008 came back to wow the crowds with his much-anticipated precision driving skills, almost impossible parking antics and tire-smoking stunts.
“I am really glad to be back where the audience is always most involved and loving. I can feel that I missed everyone and that everyone missed me. I am really glad to be back to Manila which I consider my home since I first started in MIAS,” Swift told Malaya Business Insight.
Notable was the presence of the top Chinese car brands– Changan, Chery, Foton, GAC, Geely, JAC, and MG–overwhelming the other brands. Mitsubishi, Nissan and Subaru represented the Japanese team. Volvo and Peugeot were there for the European brands and Chevrolet, Ford and Jeep came for the red-white-and-blue. Interestingly this development led to speculations that it will be the Chinese brand that will lead in the country in the next phase of the development of the automotive industry.
Of all the displays, it was the vehicles of Atoy’s Customs, known originally for building customize body kits for cars and even trucks, and his tie-up with furniture and lifestyle store IKEA that drew raves. His tiny house displays, built on a variety of truck chassis and furnished with IKEA furniture and fixtures also provide a new peek into developing trends for the Philippines–glamping and recreational vehicles.
“We developed these vehicles for one purpose–to introduce an open air lifestyle to Filipinos–after the lock down and the pandemic, it is time to move out of the malls and to open spaces. Our collaboration with IKEA is the perfect combination to be able to do it,” Atoy Llave, chief designer and creator of Atoy’s Customs.
Changan, a Chinese automotive brand that was launched by no less than the iron lady of the Philippine auto industry, Ma. Fe Agudo, brought in the CS35 Plus, introduced earlier to the media and publicly introduced at MIAS. The big story however for Changan is it focused interest on electrified vehicles.
“We at Changan have the capacity to quickly move from concept to actual vehicles in this space. We not only have the technology for the vehicles but also for the peripheral equipment–charging stations and so on, as well as the infrastructure that Changan dealers nationwide have,” Agudo told Malaya Business Insight as she commented on the Changan Eado EV460 which delivers 136Ps and 245Nm of torque with an impressive a range of 430 to 550 kilometers on a single charge, and has the ability to charge from zero to 80 percent in less than an hour.
MIAS’ return to World Trade Center Manila signals the continuous growth of the country’s flourishing auto industry. As the premier motoring trade show in the country, the event showcases the different cars that each brand offers, allowing an avenue for different players to interact with each other. — with Raymond B. Tribdino
