| There are car shows that have so many things to see and interact that sometimes you miss out on the best parts. Skipping the very festive first day to avoid the huge crowd also gives you the perspective on what to expect from these car manufacturers that have recently launched their latest models prior to the event itself.
But even though you missed the opening remarks or the unveilings with each exhibitor in mind there are takeaways that certainly that will stick out. With all said and done here are some of the best parts of Philippine International Motor Show! |
Apart from being for an event visitor there are wiggle room on the second and third day of the event that most would be those ‘dead days’ having nothing much to offer than gimmicks to attract ticket paying visitors to take home some nifty stuff from shirts, foldable fans, or a water bottle that has the car brand’s name.
Then there are the under the radar enthusiasts that would rather avoid the wild crowds to just look at cars, because you’re into them and not for the ladies that try to lure customers to buy them or some photographer who would go to the car show that only take photos of women that stand beside these shiny new cars.
With all the pageantry of this year’s Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) there’s one thing to see and that is simply the cars themselves. PIMS is a delightful event having the best from the concept to the luxury to the everyday wheels that you see on the road and here some of them.
SAIC Volkswagen Cars
Introduced almost a week before PIMS 2019, Volkswagen Philippines launched three new cars for a small market country. They’re top of the line cars that are only available for the Southeast Asian market. It is also as part of the new ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).
The Lamado, Lavida, and Santana are jointly produced by SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) and Volkswagen Group. The aforementioned Lamado is a sedan with its Chinese name is Ling Du (凌渡).Like the CC version of the Passat or Magotan in China, the Lamando is meant to be the CC version of the Jetta/Sagitar in the country.
The Lavida is considered the first mass produced Volkswagen small family car mainly designed by its Chinese partner. In 2010, the car was the number one seller in China, with 251,615 vehicles delivered. The model was significantly updated in 2012, with the launch of the "New Lavida" at the Beijing Auto Show and the additional Variant (estate) version was expected to be launched at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show now also available in the Philippine market.
Lastly, the Santana would probably the oldest car to have its name and badge having different names in other markets. it is a three-box sedan, based on the second-generation Volkswagen Passat (B2). It was introduced in 1981 while production starting in 1984 for Europe and 1985 for China. The use of the "Santana" badge rather than "Passat" echoes the use of different names for the sedan versions of the Polo (Derby) and Golf (Jetta).
The New Santana was introduced in Wolfsburg, Germany as a small family/C-segment car. It was built to fulfil the Chinese market demand. The new Santana is based on the Volkswagen Group A05+platform, sharing the same platform as the Volkswagen Jetta Night, another Volkswagen model. The New Santana has been redesigned for more power and a sleeker design.
Production for the New Santana commenced in December 2012. A hatchback variant is known as the Gran Santana and has been sold after the facelift since June 2015. The Cross Santana was launched in 2016.
Honda Small Concept RS
When you enter the main halls of the World Trade Center Manila the first thing you’ll see is the Honda Showroom exhibit. It is easily the one that will call your attention for the one car that anyone have not seen before and that is the Honda Small Concept RS (Rally Sport) that is rotating on a platform display like a diecast car.
If you’re into small car chances are this might be the one in your preference. It is like a Honda Brio that went to the gym and had put on some weights. Originally, it unveiled several months earlier this year at the Indonesia International Motor Show.
This next generation Brio is a head turner if you’re also into Rally Sport as the badge says it’s an RS that features gloss-black five-spoke wheels, a rear spoiler, a hood scoop, a mean-looking body kit, an exuberant orange paint job, and an aesthetic that’s more in line with the rest of the company’s latest offerings.
Mazda New Releases
For this year Mazda unveiled their latest year models for their strong range of cars from the Mazda CX-3, CX-5, and CX-9 (not shown) crossvers as well as their sedans and their sports coup the MX-5. They can be seen as the middle attraction at the far part of the main hall that has the ladies stand beside each vehicle.
There’s not much highlight to be presented but the upcoming latest models are sure to be the best for the brand. The Miata is still an eye catcher with its latest iteration of the model that continues to compete with its other coupe competitors that you’ll find it immediately in this event.
Nissan 370Z Nismo
At the far wall of the main hall you’ll see a line-up of car manufacturers. Of course, Nissan seemed to be low key but you’d be surprise for that eye catching Nissa 370Z Nismo sport variant that the word is out will be making the Philippine market sometime in 2019. Now if it holds true that aside from this two-door sport edition of the iconic coupe there will be also a regular variant.
Rarely, you’ll ever see a z-car in Philippine roads beside its big brother the GT-R. The latest iteration of the 370Z has made it to this year’s PIMS and with flying colors on the launch day it seems there’s a market for this type of car after all.
Back in Adelaide a few month’s further a colleague used to drive a 350Z and the experience riding this thing would be the same as what Nissan’s latest z-car can offer. This pearly white beauty certainly something to look forward to for petrol heads that are into motorsport and if you want to see it for yourself this baby beast is just right down there at the Nissan area until last day of this event.
Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept
In the Philippines, the Mitsubishi brand has slowly getting back to prominence with their Mirage G4 GLX four-door sedan that is on display as this event. It is the most recent Mitsubishi model you’ll see in the city street of Manila. But what’s their main draw to their exhibit is the e-Evolution Concept crossover.
The new-generation high-performance all-electric crossover SUV and it allows a glimpse of MMC's future. For an enhanced driving experience, the MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT combines the very best of Mitsubishi Motors technology with the go-anywhere flexibility of SUVs.
Daewoo-CMANC Bus & Jeepney
Columbian Manufacturing Corporation (CMANC) is the Philippines’s official manufacturer and distributor of Daewoo, is currently showcasing its newest offerings in support of the government’s PUV modernization program. It is aligned with this year’s PIMS theme of “Future Mobilitiy” to have this on exhibit.
Based on the staff representing CMANC all of the body work for the Jeepney and Busses are 100% percent Filipino made. With the engine which is manufactured in Korea seems the best of two countries collaboration in making modern transportation.
The BS120SN is a 42-seater bus with a Euro 5-compliant engine. The body and the chassis are constructed based on European standards to ensure a high level of durability, safety, and ride comfort. The BS120SN is designed for bus rapid transit and airport-transfer duties. It is similar to the custom set-up for the local busses used by Adelaide Metro in South Australia that features ramps for the disabled.
Lastly, CMANC is introducing their version of the jeepney. According to CMANC, this jeepney’s platform can utilize different modes of propulsion, whether diesel, electric, or hybrid. But still carry the iconic aesthetics that made it known as the ‘King of the Road’ but with more modern technology under its hood.
PIMS at a Glance
This year brings more focused on the rapid change in automotive technology with the age of electric vehicles becoming the more common type of ride it might not be long before you see hybrid and electric vehicles along EDSA. But that would be a slow change further down the road with how society and economy is dictated.
But it is a step forward for the Philippine International Motor Show to make a commitment in pushing the innovation to the local shores, where the country is actually lagging behind. It is a great gesture knowing there’s a car show like this thinking of the future than just investing in the now.
Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) on its seventh edition held at the World Trade Center Manila from 24 of October to 28, 2018. For more about the event follow PIMS on social media via Facebook!
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