The Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) is finally back and this year’s running comes out swinging. Opening its doors on October 24, there’s a whole deluge of new cars and concepts that will be displayed at the World Trade Center in Pasay.
So, what to expect? Sit tight because it’ll be quite a read.
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Changan Hunter REEV
Changan will soon enter the Philippine pickup truck arena and will do so with an electrified twist. Instead of giving it a diesel engine, the Hunter will come with a range extender. In essence, it's mainly powered by an electric motor while the gas-fed engine’s sole duty is to keep the batteries charged. It’s a unique approach in its class, for sure, and we're curious how it performs truck duties in the real world.
Chery Tiggo 2 Pro
There’s a good chance that we’ll see the facelifted version of the Tiggo 2 Pro at PIMS 2024. It boasts a completely redesigned front end, one that now follows the brand’s latest corporate look. We can also expect a few more styling tweaks inside, along with a few more features for this update.
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro PHEV
The plug-in hybrid version of the Tiggo 7 Pro was quietly previewed earlier this year during the Manila International Auto Show. Now, it seems that the electrified crossover is ready take in customer reservations. This PHEV combines a 1.5-liter engine to two electric motors, likely making it one of the more powerful options in its size class.
Honda Civic
Coming soon to showrooms is the new Honda Civic. The big news here is the addition of a hybrid variant in the form RS e:HEV. It’s set to be the most powerful hybrid in its class, as well as the torquiest out there. The turbocharged models remain and also feature the new look for the 2025 model year along with upgrades to Honda Sensing and Honda Connect.
Isuzu D-Max MHEV or EV
Isuzu Philippines said it will be bringing an electric or electrified model at PIMS 2024. That leads us to believe that it’ll either be the D-Max MHEV that was recently launched in Thailand, or the full electric D-Max EV concept shown during the Bangkok Motor Show from a few months ago. Either way, even the diesel experts are dipping their toes in electrification.
Jetour T1
Jetour is keen to expand its lineup in the country, and as more consumers veer towards crossovers and SUVs, that’s exactly the direction this Chinese automaker is taking. Likely making an appearance at PIMS 2024 is the T1, slotting below the T2 in its off-roader range. In terms of size, it’s somewhere in between subcompact and compact crossovers.
Kia EV9
The arrival of the EV9 has long been confirmed, and all that’s left to do is wait for Kia to pull the covers for its public reveal. It’s the second full electric model from the South Korean automaker, and it’s as big as they come. It’s already raked in heaps awards abroad, meaning we have high expectations from this full-sized EV.
Mazda AutoExe editions
For those in the market for a Mazda 3 or CX-60, you might want to check this out. Mazda Philippines is releasing AutoExe versions of its popular models at PIMS 2024. But what exactly is AutoExe? It’s the company’s in-house aftermarket edition, a little bit like what Mazdaspeed used to do back in the day. This being Mazda, it goes beyond cosmetics as one can get upgraded suspension and chassis parts for the cars, as well as upgraded exhaust systems for select models.
MG HS
In a bid to capture more of the compact crossover market, MG Philippines is set to launch the HS in the country. Aimed at the likes of the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota RAV4, the HS would like to take some sales away from the established Japanese marques. MG has been on a roll lately with successive model launches, so it will be interesting to see how this redesigned HS performs in the market.
Mitsubishi ‘Adventure’ concept
Okay, Mitsubishi doesn’t have a name for its concept car just yet. However, they did call it a ‘seven-seat SUV concept.’ We reckon it’ll be the spiritual successor of the Adventure in the form of a stretched XForce. That said, it might be possible that it’ll be the next-gen Montero Sport. We’ll find out once Mitsubishi pulls the sheets off this concept.
Nissan Magnite
This might be the most important premiere Nissan will hold this year. The Magnite is aimed at the likes of the Toyota Raize and Kia Sonet. The sub-4-meter crossover class has been performing well in the country, and we’re pretty sure Nissan wants a slice of that as well. Specs look promising, and the recent facelift means it’ll be bang up to date.
Nissan Patrol
From the subcompact Magnite, we go straight to the full-sized Patrol. To say the Patrol will land here is a given, but it’s a bit of a surprise just how early Nissan is previewing the model in the country. That doesn’t mean we’re excited to see it. After all, it’s been 14 years since an all-new model appeared. It’ll definitely come soon to a posh village near you.
Nissan X-Trail
It’s been a while since Nissan offered a compact crossover. Locally, the X-Trail hasn’t been sold here for a number of years, but it appears set for a comeback. Specs are not confirmed yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’ll be the e-Power e-4orce. We say it has all the potential to be a game changer in its segment.
Nissan Z Nismo
The all-new Nissan Z is dripping with old-school charm. But for those who want a more distilled sports car experience, it’s best to wait for the Nismo version that could be landing here soon. It’s lower, stiffer, and more powerful than the already impressive standard version, and it’s one that could please the hardcore enthusiasts.
Suzuki Jimny Rhino Edition
One can sum up the driving experience of the Suzuki Jimny as a throwback to SUVs of the past. It’s got a ladder frame chassis, solid axles at the front and rear, and an unashamedly retro design inside and out. For those who want to go all out in the old school experience, the Jimny Rhino Edition might just be the ticket. ‘80s-themed graphics are back in fashion and it suits the exterior quite well.
Toyota Vios
As far as Toyota models go, the Vios is in dire need of a full model change. It’s not because the current model is a bad car. Rather, it’s been over two years since the new generation Vios made its world debut. For the longest time, we’ve been wondering if it’ll even be sold here, but teasers from Toyota’s socials do hint at it. If so, it’s about time it made its local debut.
Toyota BZ4X
Toyota may be one of the biggest automakers saving the internal combustion engine, but that doesn’t mean it’s totally abandoning electric vehicles. A teaser from the company’s official Facebook page suggests that it will, at the very least, display the BZ4X EV crossover, but it’s unknown if it will join the local lineup.
Toyota Kayoibako concept
If there were to a cyberpunk version of the Toyota Lite Ace, there’s a good chance that it’ll look like the Kayoibako concept. We last saw this quirky minivan in the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, so it’s a pleasant surprise that it’ll be shown at PIMS as well. Roughly translated, its name means ‘community traveling box,’ and can be customizable to fit the customer’s need. It can be a delivery van, a PWD-friendly vehicle, a mini mobile home, or even a camper van.
Busiest PIMS yet?
So far we’ve listed nearly 20 cars here already. That said, we’re certain there will be surprise launches and reveals along the way to keep us all on our toes. It’ll be a busy weekend, for sure, but one that shows us an exciting future for the local auto industry.
More cars for us to review, then. Not that we’re complaining.
