THE Manila International Motor Show (MIAS), considered one of the most anticipated automotive events in the country is coming back after a two-year hiatus brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. It will run from April 7 to 10 at the World Trade Center in Pasay.
Last year, the organizers of the event, Worldbex Services, Inc., postponed what was to be the 17th MIAS to this year due to difficulties of the constantly changing rules of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID-19 and the forecasts of surges of the coronavirus, which by April 2021 were already mutating faster than the vaccines could catch up.
The year before MIAS organizers ran a full-online event called the MIAS 2020 WIRED. It was a first in the industry and hailed to be an innovation that could redefine auto shows in the midst of unpredictable lockdowns. The virtual auto show had a good number of attendees and car companies participating, considering it greatly challenged common practices, as the preparations had to be completed in just a few months–the original staging of the event was in April but was moved to December. Adjustments had to be made and exhibitors needed to fine-tune their presence is the digital exhibit halls. This digital-only version of the event was hosted by motoring celebrity James Deakin.
The event organizers considered the two years of the pandemic the most challenging because of lost profits and opportunities both on the sides–that of the motoring public and the car distributors and assemblers. But it was also seen as a time for regrouping and preparing for a bigger show this year.
The litmus test however for the return of car shows in the country was Tradeshow International’s Transport Show which happened last November 2021. After being put on hold also for nearly two years, the combined Manila Auto Salon and Sport Truck Show were bravely held under heavily guarded safety protocols and constant reminders to “social distance” and “keep masks on” while the event was progressing inside the SMX Convention Center at the MOA grounds in Pasay City.
Event organizer Sophie de los Santos said they were scared that the turnout would be bad or that something unfortunate might happen. The total reverse occurred and the compressed version of what is a huge gathering had a little more than a controlled turnout of 25,000 people over the 4 days it ran. Another 50,000 visitors were recorded online attending the various virtual postings of the show by exhibitors.
Autoindustriya.com’s chief executive officer Brent Co declared that November 11, opening day of the Transport Show, was the “day that car shows would be back in the Philippines,” post-pandemic.
For the 2022 version of the MIAS, carmakers have lined back up to fill the World Trade Center and adrenalin junkies will once again get a taste of the wild and tire-smoking manners of stunt driver Russ Swift will be putting the latest Subarus through heart-stopping maneuvers at a specially cordoned off area of the World Trade Center parking lot three times daily during the event.
“I’m so happy Russ Swift will return. I miss the guy and his stunts. His show is now the only thing that makes me feel so excited for MIAS, both as a visitor and as someone who covers it,” Randolph de Leon, a content writer for jamesdeakin.ph and motoring enthusiast said.
Brands that will make an appearance at the event include (in alphabetical order) Changan, which made a splashy public debut at MIAS WIRED will showcase the recently launched CS35 Plus, CS75 Plus, and CS95, the Alsvin sedan, and Eado EV460 electric vehicle. Chery will show off their all-SUV lineup from the Tiggo 2, 5X, 7 Pro, and the 8. Chevrolet will display the all-new 2022 Trailblazer and Tracker, the Camaro, and the mid-engine Corvette.
Foton will be featuring the Thunder pickup, Toplander SUV, Transvan, and Traveller, the Toano van and Gratour mini-delivery van are also expected to be shown. Geely, may display the best-selling Coolray and Okavango SUVs as well as the Emgrand sedan and Azkarra hybrid. Premium positioned GAC will be featuring its value-for-money lineup–GA4 sedan, GS3, GS4, and GS8 SUVs. GAC’s van comes in two sizes: the seven-seat GN6 and larger, luxury-oriented GN8.
Maserati is expected to draw the aspirational crowd with their Quattroporte the Levante SUV. MG Cars will bring in the HS compact SUV and MG GS, MG GT, MG360, and MG3. Mitsubishi will be showcasing the new Xpander MPV surrounded by the sporty Black Series variants of the Montero Sport, Strada Athlete, and Xpander, as well as the Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 sedan.
Nissan’s main crowd drawer will be the all-electric LEAF to highlight green mobility, but it standard flagships, the Navara pickup, Terra SUV, all-new Almera sedan, and Urvan as well as iconic sports cars 370Z and GT-R will be there too. Peugeot makes a grand return to MIAS following its appointment of a new distributor earlier this year. The new 5008 SUV will definitely be the main display.
Subaru, the brand known for sporty performance and premium practicality, will be highlighting the new Forester SUV and BRZ sports car. The brand also sponsors the much awaited return of Russ Swift to MIAS. Volvo is expected to show its hybrid and electrified vehicles, XC90, XC60 and XC40, as well as the S90.
Mutt Motorcycles, a UK brand that merges vintage-bike styling and modern-bike performance and reliability, will make its public debut at MIAS. Method Wheels, known for high-performance off-roader wheels for race and street use, will be showing its specially-equipped vehicles.
Porsche Design will be celebrating 50 years of the firm founded by the grandson and namesake of Ferdinand Porsche, Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche. Special exhibitor Lego will have brick as well as real-life versions of a Jeep Wrangler, BMW and Ducati motorcycles at their colorful booth.
Motul Philippines will have a special treat for enthusiasts as it displays a trio of rarely-seen race cars: the Ferrari 488 Challenge, McLaren GT4 Sprint, and Mercedes SLS GT3.
Petron is the MIAS co-presentor and presentor for the Petron-MIAS Custom and Classic Car Competition. BPI is the exclusive car loans sponsor and the Automobile Association Philippines supports the show by holding its Driver of the Year Awards there.
The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) debuted in April 2005. It has attracted over 500,000 attendees since its first installment. For this year’s show, about over 140K are expected but it could go up to 150,000 visitors because enthusiasts are raring to go and attend an actual show. Those who will attend will be required to present a vaccination card or certificate. About 100 exhibitors are expected to join with some 200 or so cars in the exhibit halls.
