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2007 Manila International Auto Show
World Class
Overwhelmed by the 300 cars on display, including 17 new model debuts, Paulo Subido becomes a child lost in a toy store. His account of the 2007 Manila International Auto Show
Photography by Alfred Mendoza
If you missed out on the 2007 Manila International Auto Show, then you should hang your head in shame. How dare you call yourself a car nut and not make it to the motoring event of the year?! And if you are a Top Gear reader, then double the disgrace. We were the official magazine of the four-day event. Even the famed Stig was on hand to check out the promo girls. What magnetism. Even as a cardboard standee, the Stig lured the models to feel him up. The rest of the TG crew were around, too, but unfortunately, we didn't even get any sideward glances from the hot chicks. Oh, well, it doesn't matter. Fact is, we were there as proud partners of an auto show that is sure to become an institution and rival the best of what Asia has to offer. No harm in dreaming, right?
This is the third edition of an idea first hatched a few years ago. After years of attending the different car shows around the world, co-organizers Alvin Uy, Jason Ang and Ulysees Ang wondered why our country didn't have one of her own. Surely, we weren't lacking in products and flair. So with a gung-ho attitude, these guys decided to make the idea of a Pinoy car show worthy of international acclaim a reality. They approached Joseph Ang of Worldbex Services International and the rest, as we all say a little too often, is history.
We have these guys to thank for bringing in a real Toyota F1 car to the Philippines in 2005, and the Mercedes Fuel Cell car in 2006. This year, the spotlight fell on Guinness World Record holder Russ Swift, who wowed the crowds with his precision driving stunts. The rafters at the back of the World Trade Center were filled to capacity and for good reason. Where else could you see cars driving on two wheels and witness impossible feats in the art of parallel-parking? On TV perhaps, but nothing beats witnessing it live. Swift is the world's number one display driver with numerous car commercials under his belt. He has performed in over 8,000 displays in 50 car shows around the world. Check out Dinzo's article on the man who - in just a matter of minutes - gained a large and loyal Filipino fan base through his maniacal precision driving antics.
As any car buff would know, the MIAS is where to see that latest from here and abroad, and for the motorsport enthusiast, there was a special treat. Autoplus brought 'Godzilla' in for this show. Yes, the name alone summons images of the Japanese icon, but in this case, Godzilla is the Motul Skyline GT-R of Japan Super Grand Touring Car series fame. We came face to face with this monster and some of the staff even got to sit in the cockpit. Imagine being in the presence of one of the most legendary vehicles ever manufactured, and in full race trim. Even while parked, this thing was an imposing sight. You could even smell the high-octane fuel if you got close enough.
Forbidden fruit seemed to be the underlying theme during the show. Mazda aimed to test the waters and see if the MX-5 Miata caused enough of a stir to finally be brought back to the Philippines. By the looks of the crowds' reaction, it's likely we'll get this car soon. We can only cross our fingers and hope. Seeing the bright red machine up close should be enough for the enthusiast to go out and buy one. Paging Mazda. If you guys still weren't convinced by our story in the May issue, we continue to beg.
Of course, Top Gear took center stage with our stable of luxury exotics right at the center of the exhibition area. Our Ferrari F430, BMW M5 and M6, Audi RS4 and Lamborghini Murcielago were the most photographed by visitors and media alike. We were happy to accommodate anyone who wanted to get up close, and a lucky few were even able to sit in the cockpits of these machines. Who says we aren't friendly people?
You guys have probably noticed how we always get the scoop on the latest that the auto industry has to offer. But a number of vehicle launches were also held at the MIAS. Yeah, we don't want to keep the fun to ourselves. The Range Rover Sport, the Suzuki Alto and the Nissan Patrol made their public debuts at the show. As did a trio of Hyundai vehicles (Veracruz, Coupe and Elantra) and, of course, the all-new Honda CR-V. Mitsubishi, meanwhile, gave a sneak peek of their latest SUVs (Pajero, Outlander and Endeavor).
The Car of the Year awardee, the Honda Civic, was displayed at the lobby.
Outside was an off-road demonstration and test-drive area courtesy of Ford. If you were too shy to approach the off-road crew, you missed out on a chance to thrash the Everest and the Ranger in the mud and dirt. Where else can you get the chance to do that?
Prizes were given away throughout the weekend, courtesy of Total, Sinski Motorbikes, Motul and, of course, Top Gear. Among the exhibitors, Mazda's booth was adjudged the best, while Hyundai got the best-presentation award.
Road safety is never far from anybody's mind so the Nokia Safety in Driving and TRS Ford seminars were a welcome addition. But that stuff was probably eclipsed by the Mossimo and FHM bikini show. That definitely got the temperatures rising over the weekend. And I'm sure it wasn't my imagination, but the girls did indeed look hotter this year. Winners of Binibining Pilipinas also graced the floor with their presence. If you were there for the girls, read up on the chief's account of the MIAS babes in the following pages.
Ultimately, the MIAS hopes to support the market by giving the car-buying-public an up-close-and-personal look at the cars that are sold on the market. Imagine, there were a number of visitors who didn't even know that Subaru has an official dealership in the Philippines, or that the Jeep Commander is available locally. Yes, there is still a long way to go before the industry can recapture and even surpass its peak of 160,000 unit sales.
The Manila International Auto Show is there to provide a world-class exhibition venue for our local assemblers and distributors to help make this goal a reality. The organizers are too humble in saying that their event is just a 'small contribution'. Anyone involved in the car industry knows how vital participation in MIAS is. After all, you just can't ignore 70,000 visitors.
Let us not forget, however, what keeps everything together - it is our inherent love of the automobile. Every petrolhead should be glad that there are visionaries that make these four-wheel dreams come to fruition. And Top Gear will be there every step of the way.
We can't wait until the fourth installment of the Manila International Auto Show. Who knows what surprises are in store next year?
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Top Gear Philippines - June 2007
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