PIMS-Five: CAMPI's Progress In Motion

Everything was of a higher level of excitement, as Senator Bam Aquino graced the occasion and led the ribbon-cutting rights, igniting an awesome four days of automotive extravaganza that not even Typhoon Mario could disrupt.

A number of car launches and public debuts were held, and leading the pack was the newest kid on the Philippine automotive industry block, the BAIC (Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation), a fast-rising automotive firm which fuses Italian design, German engineering, and Chinese manufacturing like an art form. Exhibiting with a wedding theme to convey its first motor show appearance, BAIC ushered in their initial lineup, featuring the A1 Hatchback and Sedan, the A5 Senova, the MZ40, and the X424.

“X” marked the spot for BMW and its X series, with a “family reunion” which featured the X1, X5, and the X6, altogether highlighting their third-gen X3 and their newest family member, the X4, while just beside their booth was Daewoo and its shining army of Euro Passenger Jeepneys and busses, giving the term “Pinoy Pride” an awesome meaning, with matching 70’s and 80’s Pinoy disco tunes.

With none other than the “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao as the ball team’s head-coach, Team Kia Sorento will unite Filipinos with its passion for basketball in the most heart-pounding way

Filipino patriotism was also what spearheaded Kia’s booth, as they featured Team Kia Sorento, their contender to the PBA games. With none other than the “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao as the ball team’s head-coach, Team Kia Sorento will unite Filipinos with its passion for basketball in the most heart-pounding way, just like what “Pacman” does when he faces boxing battles, representing our country with his passion for boxing. In addition, Kia also introduced new color variants for the Picanto and the Soul, ultimately polishing up with an elaborate and lively design booth.

Aside from the twins Brio and Brio Amaze car displays, Honda also went all-out and made instant headlines, as they announced their mission to go in to battle again and re-join the FIA Formula One World Championship next year, and underscoring that feat was their Super Formula Racecar, which gave the local motoring media a glimpse of things to come. Not only that, the Honda NSX Concept was also on display, and what a stunner of a sneak-peek it was for the automotive icon’s much-awaited return.

Lexus literally made the PIMS glamorous with an on-the-spot fashion show, as a number of beautiful ladies dressed in glittering evening gowns cat-walked the booth, highlighting the American-Japanese automaker’s first ever entry in to the luxury compact crossover segment, the Lexus NX. Dubbed as a ”Premium Urban Sports Gear”, the NX’s styling and technical features are targeted to those who live an active lifestyle and love the adventurous side of the urban jungle. And that’s not all, for going back-to-back with Lexus was Toyota with an assembly of their latest nameplates available, headed by the best-selling Vios, and the Fortuner. Toyota also unveiled one of the PIMS’ featured cars, the Fun-Vii Concept, a futuristic concept car, aiming to maximize the full-potential of the smart-phone and wireless internet technology in more ways than one.

As many already know, PIMS is the breeding ground for many upcoming and concept cars, and giving additional proof to that is Mitsubishi and their concept cars, the GR-HEV which potentially hints to a next-gen L200/Strada, and the CA-MIEV. A face-lifted version of the ASX and the Outlander was also present on their booth, plus the newest Pajero, which got punctuated by being side-by-side with an icon, the 2002 Dakar Rally winning Mitsubishi Pajero driven by Hiroshi Matsuoka.

Mazda came in with honor, as they displayed the 25th Anniversary Edition Mazda Miata Roadster, along with the new Mazda3 SPEED, while Mercedes-Benz provided a touch of German sophistication with their newly-launch C-Class, heading their booth.

Featuring their iconic Beetle and a full line-up of updated models, the German automaker also unveiled the highly-anticipated Golf GTI, which will soon be available here in the Philippines.

Speaking of Germans, Volkswagen was also there, and was one of the brightly-lit booths in the event. Featuring their iconic Beetle and a full line-up of updated models, the German automaker also unveiled the highly-anticipated Golf GTI, which will soon be available here in the Philippines.

Finally, Jeep has its spirits on high gear, as it displayed its newest Wrangler Rubicon, Grand Cherokee, and the new Grand Cherokee TrailHawk. And that’s just for starters, for this rough-and-tough icon has its units also displayed outside the World Trade Center main building, ready to tackle and be test-driven through a short and very muddy off-road course, highlighting the brand’s love for 4WD fun and prowess to go down and dirty via its “Rock and Road” activity.

Other noteworthy vehicles on display were Isuzu’s newly-launched MU-X and the latest D-Max, JMC’s updated line-up of trucks and SUVs, Nissan and their all-new and much more muscular X-Trail, Suzuki’s latest units plus its GSX750 and V-Storm 650 bikes, and the French car maker Peugeot’s latest models. Test drive units from all the participating brands were available, as well.

Aside from the car displays, the 5th PIMS also had its “After-Sales Exhibit”, featuring an array of different offers for the general motoring public, ranging from the latest vehicle packages for availing and/or maintaining brand new and owned cars, plus rounds of talks, lectures and seminars, concerning the hottest issues surrounding the Philippine Automotive Industry.

In-line with this, motoring journalist and road safety advocate James Deakin wowed everyone, as he unveiled his all-new and dynamically-refreshed website www.jamesdeakin.ph to the public. A website dedicated to the passion for automobile and anything with wheels and engines, it contains the latest car reviews, motoring and motor sports news/updates, motoring videos, and a slew of other valuable stuffs to help the general motoring public be up-to-date with the latest happenings in the industry.

Capping-off this historic 5th PIMS is an exhibit that brings out tons of motoring nostalgia. At the main lobby of the World Trade Center, an exhibit was set to greet everyone. Featuring 12 iconic automobiles that have helped shape the Philippine motoring industry to how it is today, the “Progress in Motion: The Evolution of Philippine Motoring Industry” Exhibit showcased 60 years of Philippine motoring passion, from its humble beginnings to its “moving with the times”. Vehicles on spotlight were the 1950s Mercedes-Benz Ponton, the 1960s VW Beetle, 1970s Toyota Land Cruiser, and the 1980s Mitsubishi Lancer Boxtype and Peugeot 205GT. The 1990s BMW 3-Series, Honda Civic Hatchback, Mazda Miata, Kia Pride, and the Isuzu Hi-Lander were also present. And, moving closer to the present time were the 2000s Suzuki Swift and the 2010 Nissan 370Z, which was designed by the US-based Filipino automotive designer Randy Rodriguez.

Also an event that served as an ultimate family-bonding haven, activities such as car club meets promoted camaraderie among car enthusiasts. 

Car enthusiasts, young and old, were treated to a weekend of fun and excitement at the 5th CAMPI Philippine International Motor Show. Also an event that served as an ultimate family-bonding haven, activities such as car club meets promoted camaraderie among car enthusiasts. In addition, pedal go-kart racing, automotive themed treasure hunting games, and loads of food trucks kept the kids and the kids at heart entertained.

In closing, the 5th Philippine International Motor Show was a “progress in motion” indeed, not just for the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., but for the Filipino and the Philippine automotive industry. Concluding on high notes, one can only anticipate what the sixth PIMS has in store. See y’all again, in two years’ time.