13 brands breathe new life to the much-anticipated biennial motor show
Just when the start of the second decade of the new millennium hinted at a clearer vision for the world’s movers and shakers, we were all unceremoniously doused with the cold, rude awakening to 2020. That tiny-but-nasty Coronavirus would sidetrack us, and render us on “house arrest”—immobile and detached from the rest of society.
The pandemic’s effect on industries and institutions was equally swift and severe. The Philippine auto industry was left gasping for air, as it were. Lockdowns hit the brakes on businesses so hard and so fast, we literally didn’t know what hit us.
Such was the situation for much of 2020 and practically the entirety of the following year. All anticipated public events essentially ground to a halt, including the biennial Philippine International Motor Show. After the successful staging of its 7th edition in 2018, the automotive industries were just about to greenlight the 2020 edition, then the pandemic struck.
This year 2022 is now giving us a chance to press the reset button on things we missed out on in the last (forgettable) two years. And yes, there is so much ground to cover for the local auto industry. The 13 top brands that have put heads together to restage the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) after a long, four-year absence, are bent on doing just that.
The date has been set. So, for the motoring public to witness what it’s really like to see how a “grand rebound” of an international auto show looks and feels like, then you all better mark your calendars: The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc’s PIMS is slated on Sept. 15 to 18 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Campi has described the upcoming show as “a highly anticipated event that brings the country’s biggest auto manufacturers and distributors together to showcase their latest vehicles and cutting-edge technologies.”
The four-day event will mark the debut of three newly accepted members who will join Campi’s 10 mainstays.
Joining old-timers BMW, Foton, Honda, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota in eighth edition of PIMS are newly minted members Chery, Geely, and Hyundai. This year, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) will be the exclusive auto financing partner and diamond sponsor of the motor show. Serving as the official mobility partner, Foton will be providing three modernized jeepneys as shuttle service during the event. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the shuttles will ferry guests free of charge between two pickup points, World Trade Center and SMX Convention Center.
Now on its 8th edition, PIMS 2022 focuses on introducing innovations that will provide safer, more efficient and sustainable mobility to the people, with the theme “Mobility + Humanity: Innovating for the Common Good”.
This year’s PIMS returns after a four-year hiatus when the motoring industry players have been constantly adjusting and adapting to the needs of consumers relative to the impact of the pandemic.
“Despite the challenges, we are positive that the industry is on its way to revival and recovery as evidenced by the double-digit growth in the past month with an 18.4-percent increase in vehicle sales year-to-date. Currently, we are almost at 57 percent of our annual industry target,” said Campi President Atty. Rommel Gutierrez.
“In line with our road to recovery, we are happy to bring back the much-awaited PIMS, gathering the industry’s biggest car manufacturers to showcase how the latest vehicles and mobility innovations can drive us towards a better and more sustainable future,” added Gutierrez.
Like previous PIMS editions, the motor show will feature exclusive car launches and displays in the brand booths and daily presentations of the country’s leading auto manufacturers. In addition, spectators and guests of the motor show can look forward to test driving some of the latest vehicles in the market from participating brands.
There will also be a place for aftermarket retail booths where special parts and service appointments will be offered, and several car clubs will hold car meets during the duration of the motor show. Spectators can also participate in a wide variety of family activities prepared to make the 8th edition of PIMS an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Tickets can be purchased at the venue for P200 each with the first 1,000 ticket buyers getting a 50-percent discount every show day. Gates will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
