Finally, a world-class motor show hits town

It’s always a good thing to have a car show, whether big or small. And, judging from the usual massive attendance at these events, one does not need to be a car enthusiast to wander inside a hall and ogle at nice (and sometimes not so nice) cars.

But while we’ve always had the Megatrade Hall-based Trans Sport Show held every April, that wildly popular show caters more to the aftermarket high-performance side of the car business. It’s more like Las Vegas’ annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) show where both car manufacturers and aftermarket companies converge to showcase their latest go-fast/look-sharp products and services. In fact, Trans Sport Show has just recently been given accreditation by SEMA according to Sophie de los Santos, the brilliant and hard-working woman behind Trans Sport Show.

But what about a show that will highlight the best and the brightest of the mainstream car industry? As far as I can remember (and I’ve been attending shows for over a quarter of a century), we’ve had none. At least none that the car industry, as a whole, has embraced as their own. Until now.

Occupying the full 5,000 sqm of the world-class World Trade Center in Roxas Blvd., the recently concluded (April 28-30) Manila Motor Show accomplished — in its first time — what previous shows had failed to do: bring the heavyweights of the automotive industry under one roof.

But before you think that it was just one multi-branded showroom of brand new cars peppered with smooth-talking salesmen eager to make a sale, take a look at the accompanying picture and see what a grand scale the Manila Motor Show truly was.

I’ve been to the motor shows in Tokyo, Detroit, Melbourne, Bangkok and Macau so I know an international show when I see one. And the aptly named Manila Motor Show (other international car shows are named after their host cities), organized by Worldbex International, is most definitely one.

Aside from the usual assortment of production cars — some of which were just making their public debuts like the new Chryslers, Peugeots and Hyundais — the Manila Motor Show was chosen as the venue for some sneak peeks at upcoming models, notably the Ford Focus. Of course, the usual assortment of dream cars like Ferraris, Maseratis, Jaguars, BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Volvos (highlighted by the high-performance turbocharged S60 T5 model) as well as a gaggle of awesome Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions drew lots of crowds.

The Car Awards Group (CAGI) composed of local motoring journalists also showcased the ten category winners of their recent Car of the Year Awards (CoTY), headlined of course, by the overall winner, the Honda Accord 3.0 V6. The Manila Motor Show also gave visitors a chance to try several vehicles with test drives around the World Trade Center grounds. Ford even had a special off-road track built for people to try out the abilities of their family of SUVs.

If there was one thing missing, though, it was the futuristic concept cars. Hopefully, we’ll see them next year, as I spoke to the organizers and they fully intend to launch an even bigger and better show next year. Hopefully too, the Manila Motor Show will send a signal that the Philippine car industry is alive, kicking and most definitely growing.

Last week’s set of backseat drivers, wary of all the happenings on the road and in these pages, had this to say…

The recent jeepney strike proved that in the long-term life would be better without them. There was hardly any traffic and the streets were smog-free! — 09178459239

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To the jeepney drivers and their groups: thank you so much for going on strike. Next time, please do it on a nationwide basis, permanently and forever! — 09175261888

Someone should put a stop to people making minor roads their own personal playgrounds, converting them into basketball, volleyball and badminton courts. — 09178571423

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I beg to disagree with the idea of banning imported used cars because of its sliding doors at the left. Let the owners be extra cautious when unloading passengers. — 09164770726 (That’s only one of the many arguments against imported used cars — and, yes, it could be considered quite trivial. Is the fact that the importers of the said cars exempted from paying taxes enough reason, then?)

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What’s the purpose of the smoke test if the PUVs are exempted? Its like we’re punishing good citizens and letting crooks get away. Oh well. What’s new? — 09187700454

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Why is it that when you see a vehicle with expired registration on the streets, it is probably being driven by a cop? Are they entitled to this? — 09169690268 (Even the littlest bit of authority exempts any Filipino from the law. You should know this by now.)

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We need to teach the pedestrians to cross when there is no incoming vehicle from the left and from the right and NOT to signal the incoming vehicles to stop. — 09193292366

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Driving at night in Mandaluyong is dangerous. Too many jeepneys and tricycles have no headlamps. Why don’t the authorities do something about this? — 09173751719 (Beats me.)

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VIPs act like they own EDSA when their motorcades offensively slice through traffic during rush hour. They treat us taxpayers like dirt. Shame on you VIPs! — 09173271732

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Are PUJs exempted from having signal and tail lights? PUJ drivers signal by using their arms! — 09196355113

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Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text PHILSTAR<space>FB<space>MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2333 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 334 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber.