Beginning a new tradition

Traditions are events and practices that are held and repeated with purposed regularity. In the automotive industry, these traditions may include new car model launching, media test drives, customer interaction programs and annual car shows. While the annual car shows scheduled on the local motoring calendar are technically custom car shows, the country has yet to host an international motor show that would highlight the Philippine automotive industry. Although still weaker compared to its heyday in the nineties, the local car industry is on the rebound. Several manufacturers have begun exporting products either as parts or as Completely Built-Up (CBU) units to our Asian neighbors. And with the countless new models and variants expected to debut in the Philippines this year, 2005 is definitely the year of the automobile.

2005 also marks the year of new traditions in the local automotive industry. The Car of the Year (COTY) awards was launched and the winners were celebrated in an elegant awards night held last February. Tomorrow (Thursday, April 28), another tradition will be started, one that will place the Philippines in the international motor show map as Manila will be finally playing host to what’s quoted to be the first-ever industry-centered motor show — The Manila Motor Show. Organized by Worldbex International, the group behind successful construction and builder’s exhibition shows, The Manila Motor Show will coincide with the annual World Sport and Leisure Show and will run until Saturday, April 30.

The Manila Motor Show will be held at The World Trade Center along Roxas Boulevard in Manila from 10 in the morning to 12 midnight. The show will encompass the entire 5,000 square-meter space of both World Trade Center exhibition halls and will be home to these major brands (confirmed as of press time): Audi, BMW Automobiles, BMW Motorrad, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Hummer, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan (Universal Motors Corporation), Peugeot, Porsche, Ssyang Yong, Toyota and Volvo.

Several of these exhibitors will unveil new and future cars at the show. Although still veiled in secrecy, there are some who took the liberty to give some tantalizing details on what they’re slated to bring in. CATS Motors, the Philippine distributor of Chrysler, Dodge and Mercedes-Benz cars will be bringing in their new Chrysler 300 Touring and its Hemi-powered brother, the 300C. They’re also slated to showcase their new Dodge Durango SUV and limited-edition CLK Armani Cabriolet. Ford will be parading the award-winning 1931 Model A while its sister company, Mazda will be taking the wraps off its RX-8 sports car. Peugeot will re-launch the 307SW and 807 to the public, while Kia and Hyundai will go practical with new common rail diesel-powered variants of their Sorento and Matrix respectively. Hyundai will also show off additional new models including the Getz and Tucson SUV. Volvo will be bringing in its high-performance S60R for the discerning car enthusiast.

Aside from the major distributors and manufacturers, The Manila Motor Show will showcase the latest aftermarket parts and accessories as well. Several exhibitors will be dazzling the crowd with customized set-ups of popular models for the perfect ride. The Car Awards Group (CAGI) will also showcase the ten category winners of their recent COTY awards, headlined of course, by the overall winner, Honda Accord 3.0-liter V6.

The Manila Motor Show will give visitors a chance to try several vehicles will special test drives around The World Trade Center. Ford will even have a special off-road track built for people to try out the abilities of their No Boundaries family of SUVs. Other activities such as off-road demonstrations, car club meets, quarter-mile challenges and road safety seminars give The Manila Motor Show a truly car enthusiast’s atmosphere.

Although Thailand is already zooming forward with its claim as being the "Detroit of South East Asia", the organizers of The Manila Motor Show hope that an industry-centered show such as this one will make investors think of investing in the Philippines once again. The Manila Motor Show will hopefully begin a new tradition among car enthusiasts worldwide and send a signal that the Philippine car industry is alive, kicking and most definitely growing.

For more information about The Manila Motor Show, you can log on to the official website at: www.manilamotorshow.com or contact Worldbex International through its secretariat office at: 531-6350 or 534-3615.