MANILA, Philippines - Car buyers and enthusiasts got a close-up look at some of the newest models and even got to test drive the car of their dreams when a majority of the country’s leading automobile companies assembled for the 2012 Auto Focus Motorshow & Auto Expo (AFMS) at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds over the weekend.
Considered as the country’s biggest outdoor motorshow, the AFMS featured top automobile manufacturers and distributors who showcased and offered test drives of the latest models from BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot (which made its public debut), and Toyota, whose Vios won overall in the Auto Focus People’s Choice Award.
The four-day event was the eighth staging of this annual motoring industry event organized by Sunshine Television Production & Marketing Services Corp. (STV) and sponsored by
Caltex Philippines, Bridgestone Tires, and the SM Mall of Asia with The Philippine STAR as media partner.
“The Auto Focus Motorshow’s main purpose is to serve as a veritable one-stop shop for those looking to buy a car. Whatever the car of your dreams may be—a gas-efficient subcompact, a luxury sedan, a sleek sports car, a family van, a rugged SUV, or an all-utility pickup—these will all be there to see and more importantly, test drive,” Auto Focus and Motoring Today TV host and STV Chairman/CEO Butch Gamboa pointed out.
Prospective buyers were able to directly compare similar models’ features and performance, and to look into the best deals, discounts and financing offers available. All these were conveniently done onsite, eliminating the time-consuming ordeal of having to hop from one dealer showroom to another.
Apart from hourly raffles every exhibit day, there was a marching band, a Gran Turismo competition among some of the country’s best online gamers, as well as a nightly performance by the renowned Flintstones & the Gang Band at the motorshow’s general activity area.
French carmaker Peugeot had its grand public debut at the AFMS, offering its initial four-car line-up composed of the CRDi turbo-diesel-powered 508 midsize sedan, 3008 crossover, 5008 MPV, and the gasoline-powered RCZ sports car for viewing and test drive.
Right across the huge Peugeot pavilion, which boasted the only airconditioned lounge in the show, was the equally sprawling Hyundai exhibit, which displayed the new Santa Fe and Genesis Coupe, as well as the best-selling Tucson, Elantra, Accent, Sonata, Grand Starex, i10 and Eon hatchbacks.
“It is heart-warming for Hyundai in the Philippines to look back at how Auto Focus and the motoring public have, through the years, embraced and honored our cutting-edge vehicle portfolio. I thank Ray Butch Gamboa and his team, the brains behind the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards, for helping build this overwhelming appreciation of Hyundai’s automotive technology,” said Fe Perez-Agudo, President and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), in a statement.
“I wish you many more years of engaging and inspiring the various players of the Philippine auto industry to outdo ourselves in offering nothing but the best products and services to our discerning public,” Agudo added.
Aside from the various corporate pavilions and test drives, there was also a special exhibit where visitors tried their hand at the cutting-edge hands-free ParkAssist feature of the new Ford Focus.
“The Auto Focus Motorshow & Auto Expo is the grandest outdoor display and test drive activity benefiting participating automobile companies as well as car enthusiasts and prospects especially in the run-up to the Christmas season, the industry’s peak demand and purchase period. Indeed, that’s a win-win for both seller and buyer!” Gamboa exclaimed.