Manila International Auto Show 2012: Thousands race to the Philippines’ most successful auto show

For the 8^th year running, car enthusiasts raced to the World Trade Center last March 29 to April 1, 2012 for the highly anticipated Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).

“This year’s MIAS is geared to provide an unparalleled auto show experience that only an international trade show can provide,” Worldbex Services International Founder (WSI) Joseph Ang shares.

With the theme “Motorsports”, MIAS 2012 turned the spotlight on “Life in the Fast Lane” and the current trend of developing new and updated models of sports cars by different car brands, all designed to outride the competition.

With over 88,600 attendees, MIAS 2012 once again proved that it is the best automobile show in the country with more than 400 cars on display from 500 exhibitors.

This year’s MIAS was also made bigger, with companies occupying the WTC, the Philippine Trade Training Center, the adjoining WTC East Wing and the specially constructed WTC East Wing B, with a total exhibit area of 30,000 sqm. MIAS 2012 featured the best concept cars, hybrid cars and many other automotives that changed the way we look at motoring and driving.

The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, local and international. Present during the opening were MMDA Chairman Francis N. Tolentino, Bureau of Customs Deputy Collector Tessie Roque, BPI Senior Vice President Josephine Ocampo, BPI Sales and Marketing Vice President Noel Altamirano, Car Awards Group, Inc. President Ferman Lao, Embassy of India’s 2^nd Secretary Jose Joseph, Czech Republic Ambassador Joseph Rychtar, MATRADE Trade Commissioner Har Man Amad, US Commercial Service Attache Tyrena Holley, Ford Group President Randy Krieger, WSI Founding Chairman Joseph Ang, WSI Co-founder Levi Ang, WSI Director Marge Poblete, WSI Executive Director Francisco Flameno, and MIAS Co-organizers Alvin Uy and Jason Ang.

The highlights of this year’s MIAS included the Russ Swift Precision Driving Stunt Show, motorsports exhibits, special demonstrations, and many more. Visitors also witnessed spectacular car launches from Ford, Subaru, BMW, Hyundai, Mini, Chrysler, Vespa, Piaggio, and APE. Other notable events were the Top Gear exhibit, which featured top of the line car setups, the MD Juan World II re-enactment using Jeep vehicles, and the Philippines’ most powerful car sponsored by Motul.

Also back is a bolder and bigger amphibian truck, which the Philippine Army, Philippine Marines, and the private sector modified and improved for this year’s show. Strategic spots throughout the venue have also been transformed into bachelor pads where visitors can watch their favorite movies, mingle with the car shows models, and test drive the car of their dreams.

Also held was a Gala Night for the Car of the Year Awards 2012 competition at the PTTC, hosted by the Car Awards Group, Inc. The Hyundai Elantra was crowned the Car of the Year, a big milestone for Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. MIAS 2012 also awarded BMW as the best booth and Subaru as best in production. Other competitions such as the MIAS Classic and Custom Car Competition, and a car photography contest were also held.

The 8^th Manila International Auto Show is important since it aids in effectively boosting local car industry, especially with BPI Family Bank’s Auto Madness, which offered low interest rates for car buyers during the show.

Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis N. Tolentino affirms, “with the 8th car show that we have, I think we just placed Metro Manila on the right track. Every time you put a world-class exhibition like this, you bring Metro Manila and our country much closer to being a world-class nation.”

Every year, Worldbex Services International outdoes itself with their highly successful events, and the 8^th Manila International Auto Show is definitely proof of WSI’s excellence.

Watch out for WSI’s upcoming shows in the Queen City of the South, the Cebu Trio: Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX), Cebu Foods and Beverages Expo (CEFBEX), and the Cebu Auto Show this coming May 24-27, 2012 at the Cebu International Convention Center. Like WSI on Facebook at Worldbex Services International (Official Fan Page) or follow them on Twitter (@worldbex) for updates on their upcoming events.