The Cars of the 5th PIMS

Jeep

Before the formal series of presentations within the World Trade Center, Jeep commenced its “Rock and Road” activity at a makeshift off-road course. The goal, of course, was to highlight the abilities of the Jeep lineup of vehicles. Participants got behind the wheel of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Rubicon, and the newest Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk to test their mettle in areas of traction, ground clearance, cross-axle articulation, traction, safety and stability, and maneuverability.

Kia

The Kia show area reflected the South Korean automaker’s well-known support for sports. At front and center was its marquee lineup of vehicles, with a dynamic video backdrop of fans applauding from bleachers. To the right of the main display were a couple of basketball arcade games, while above was a stadium-type scoreboard complete with a video feed of goings on.

All this reached fever pitch when introductions were made for the brand’s presentation. Heralded by the Team Kia Sorento’s pep squad, members of the Kia’s spanking-new Philippine Basketball Association team, along with assistant coach Glenn Capacio, were introduced one by one.

Kia president and CEO Ginia Domingo proceeded to interview Capacio on the team’s preparations for the forthcoming season, and presented a video from the celebrated coach and player of the new franchise, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.

Daewoo Bus

It was a bit of a throwback for another South Korean brand, Daewoo. Following some retro music courtesy of a live band, its officials unveiled a couple of buses emblazoned with the once-familiar “Love Bus” logo. The locally designed and assembled units are products of Filipino workmanship, and are expected to augment or replace aging buses in the country.

Aside from the buses, Columbian Manufacturing Corporation (the Daewoo Bus franchise holder here) unveiled reimagined versions of the jeepney, in the form of its air-conditioned Socialite that comfortably seats 20 forward-facing passengers.

Honda

There are lots of new and exciting things over at Honda, and its display said as much. After a loud engine roar was played over the public address system, Honda Cars Philippines president and GM Toshio Kuwahara said, “The sound you that have just heard was from a new-generation Honda F1 engine currently being developed for the 2015 season.”

The return to the world’s premier racing format is obviously a victory for the Japanese carmaker. One cannot talk about Honda without making mention of its “racing legacy,” continued Kuwahara, and unveiled its Team Mugen #16 car, which won Japan’s Super Formula series. This marked the first time the car was ever outside Japan.

The HCPI head then wowed an eager crowd by revealing the NSX Concept vehicle that is expected to roll out next year. The mid-engine sports car was last seen leaving Honda’s factories in 2005.

Finally, Honda formalized its entry into the subcompact, budget realm via the Brio, which comes in sedan (badged Brio Amaze, starting at P629,000) and hatchback (from P599,000) forms.

BMW

For Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), official importer and distributor of BMW in the country, it was all about the X’s. ACC president Maricar Parco presented the brand’s growing X line of SUVs or, as BMW calls it, sport activity vehicles.

At its aptly named “X Pavilion,” BMW displayed its complete range of X vehicles—the new BMW X1 M Sport Edition, the new BMW X3, the all-new BMW X5 M Sport Edition, and the BMW X6 Sport Activity Coupe.

Completing the lineup was the first-ever BMW X4.

Parco said that the X line has always been known for “riding dynamics, robust performance, and premium character,” and that the X4 is no different—even as it formalizes BMW’s entry into the premium midsize SUV segment as a “sports activity coupe” inspired by the X6. In a release, ACC shared that the BMW X4 is also “based on the technical blueprint of the BMW X3.”

“With the introduction of the first ever BMW X4 Sport Activity Coupe and the refreshed BMW X3, we aim to further enhance BMW’s leadership and redefine the landscape in the luxury mid-size SUV segment,” added Parco.