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AS heavy
as the rain was last weekend, car buffs trooped yet
again to another prestigious motor show in the Metro—the
Manila Auto Salon (MAS) 2007, which was staged at the
SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia.
The
event, which ran from November 14 to 18, featured the
Philippines’ largest automotive aftermarket show in a
newly built 9,130-square-meter area, wherein more than
170 cars and small trucks went on display. Exhibitors
and participants included different car care and
accessories retailers, car clubs and associations,
tuning workshops, motorsports societies, custom makers
and the like.
The
event proved that Filipinos are real, natural-born car
lovers, as implicitly proven by the extensive number of
aftermarket products that are available and sold today,
as well as in the way “autophiles” treat their alter
egos—their wheels—with utmost pamper, care and affection
as if they were a family member. They regularly clean
their cars and dress them up to make sure they remain
glance-and-road-worthy all the time.
Cadillac sedan(top). A
reminder of how times have truly changed and
Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.
A
sight reminiscent of classic motorsports.
--Lorenz Nipales
Tradeshow International Inc. (TSI) is the organizer of
MAS 2007, the current incarnation of the Custom Car and
Sport Truck Show, which began more than a decade ago.
This year’s event also marked the launch of the
Philippine Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (PAAIA),
which is geared toward promoting the sale of safe and
quality vehicle accessories and parts in the country.
PAAIA is comprised of key players who are involved in
the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distributing and
retailing of vehicle parts, tools, equipment,
accessories, chemicals and services not offered by car
manufacturers, otherwise known as the aftermarket
industry.
Sophie
de los Santos, TSI president, said PAAIA will pave the
way for aftermarket players to come up with a collective
voice in representations with government agencies and
foreign counterparts aimed at pursuing economic
development.
“As a
single voice of the automotive aftermarket suppliers in
the country, PAAIA, for one, will need the government’s
support on matters of legislations as far as
restrictions and regulations on automotive repair and
enhancements are concerned. There will be issues on
import and export taxes, too,” added de los Santos.
Aside
from the launch of PAAIA, there were also must-see
activities held throughout the show’s four–day run. A
crowd-drawer was the “Garage Tech Sessions and
Workshop,” which were undertaken by the country’ stop
engine tuners, such as a talk on nitrous, turbo and
suspension upgrades by Speedlab; “Drifting 101” by Burnt
Rubber Productions; “Diesel Tuning” by 199 Off-Road
House; “Tips on SUV Maintenance” by Manila Off-Roaders
Inc.; “Prepping Your Car for Slalom Motorsports” by Race
Motorsports Club; and many others.
The
Ultimate Tuner Award and launch of the Formula Ford Asia
were part of the event’s highlights. There was also the
search for the MAS Race Queens, which this writer
actually missed. MAS 2007 was more than just your
typical car show, and for this reason people should not
miss succeeding editions. |
