MIAS 2024: Twenty-nine auto brands at World Trade Center, SMX Manila
18th Manila International Auto Show happens April 4 to 7, 2024
The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is the Philippines’ largest annual motoring event. And for its 18th year, it’s going to be a lot bigger.
For the first time ever, MIAS 2024 will feature a combined exhibition floor space of 41,000 square meters as this year’s event will happen simultaneously in two venues – the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTC) and SMX Convention Center Manila (SMX). Showgoers need not worry about going from one venue to another as a free shuttle service will be provided throughout the day at designated pickup and drop-off points to make parking and visiting both WTC and SMX on the same day easy and convenient.
With dual venues, this year’s MIAS promises to offer better insights into the latest automobile technologies. The MIAS-Petron Custom Classic Car Competition will treat car enthusiasts with the display of well-restored and highly customized vehicles. But for the industry side, car buyers can make well-informed vehicle choices by experiencing the latest models the automotive market has to offer via the launches and test drives.
Speaking of which, MIAS 2024 will feature a total of 29 passenger car and commercial vehicle brands throughout the four-day event. Yes, from 15 brands last year, the participating brands this year have almost doubled. Another interesting statistic: 21 of those participating brands are from China. This follows last year’s event where Chinese auto brands commanded the majority of the booths compared to other brands from other countries.
One of the busiest distributors you’ll find at this year’s MIAS has to be Astara. The distributor who handles Peugeot and GAC has recently acquired the rights to distribute the JAC and JMC brands to the country, and MIAS will serve as the major launchpad for the two new brands they’ve added to their portfolio.
The JMC brand in particular will be headed by Arlan Reyes, an industry veteran who has over 25 years of experience. As for the vehicles they will be launching, we think that the automaker is likely to hold the launch of the Grand Avenue and Vigus Work pickups at MIAS.
On the other hand, Astara’s Peugeot brand has had a quiet time since they introduced the 2008, 3008, 5008, and Traveller as their initial offerings in the country. However, they hinted at offering electrified vehicles since last year’s MIAS. But up to now, we have yet to find out what they’re bringing to this year’s event.
GAC Motor, meanwhile, is planning to launch 6 new cars in 2024. Recently, they’ve launched the flagship M8 MPV, while the smaller M6 Pro is set to follow soon. We can expect these two MPVs to be present at the GAC booth in MIAS, but for the event itself, there’s good reason to believe GAC could introduce hybrid variants of their existing vehicles.
Apart from Astara, there’s another distributor that’s looking to bring the noise at this year’s MIAS, and that is the United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. or UAAGI. Much like Astara, UAAGI has acquired the rights to distribute two more brands, which are set to make their grand debuts and relaunches at this year’s event. The brands we’re talking about are BAIC and Lynk & Co.
BAIC has been in the Philippine market for quite a while. However, under previous distributors, the brand did not quite make a significant impact in the Philippine market. UAAGI is looking to turn it around in the same way they did to the Chery brand. Speaking of which, the BAIC brand has also significantly improved its vehicles in China, and we see it in models like the BJ60, BJ80, and X55 II. We won’t be surprised if all three make their way to the show floors of MIAS come April.
After months of speculation, Geely’s premium brand Lynk&Co is finally entering the Philippine market through UAAGI. By our understanding, Lynk&Co is looking to start in the country by offering two crossover SUV models – the 06 and the 01.
UAAGI’s two established brands (Chery and Foton), on the other hand, are also likely to hold significant public debuts of their vehicles for this year’s MIAS. Chery has been working to add more electrified variants of their models to their lineup such as the Tiggo 7 PRO PHEV, along with fully-electric vehicles like the eQ1 and eQ7 that they previewed at last year’s EVAP summit.
Foton has been soldiering on with the Thunder pick-up truck for many years now. But on MIAS, the brand is likely to launch something new in that segment. While the brand has not confirmed it, we’re looking at the Mars 7 and Mars 9 pickup trucks. These are the models Foton has previously hinted at on social media, and both could come with mild-hybrid diesel engines.
MG has gone through quite a significant change going to this year’s MIAS. From being under the helm of TCCCI, they are now a direct subsidiary of SAIC Motor. Expect the MG lineup on full display, including the MG4 EV, MG Marvel R, the recently launched MG One, and perhaps a display of the MG Cyberster. As for a new model, MG applied for approval for a 1.5-liter engine passenger vehicle, which we reckon could be the MG3. Will MIAS be the launchpad for it? We’ll find out soon.
Speaking of change, Changan is also entering its first MIAS under its new distributor, Inchcape Philippines. They already have a diverse lineup of crossovers beginning with the CS35 to the flagship UNI-K, but it’s confirmed they are launching a new crossover that they could offer for under PHP 1 million, and that is the CS15 that shares its bits with the Alsvin.
GWM’s lineup of vehicles has made quite a good impression on us based on our reviews. They plan to back it up this year by having more dealerships across the country and extending the warranty coverage of their vehicles. While we’re not sure if they will launch a new model at MIAS, we reckon the ORA 03 and the Tank 300 will be there for the public to see.
We’ve been waiting since last year for Omoda and Jaecoo to launch their models in the country. But finally, it’s happening at this year’s MIAS. Omoda and Jaecoo spent the entire 2023 teasing the features and capabilities of the Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7 crossovers, and now showgoers can finally see what they look like in the metal.
Jetour, on the other hand, is also one of the brands that are bringing budget EVs to the market with the Ice Cream. But for this year’s MIAS, we could be looking at the stylish Dashing to get a PHEV version, along with the much-awaited public debut of the T-2 SUV.
Apart from the numerous Chinese brands that are making their public debuts at MIAS, this year’s event will also see the new Chevrolet Philippines under the leadership of Fe Perez-Agudo. A comprehensive Rework Strategy is currently ongoing with the bow-tie brand, and MIAS could very well be our first glimpse as to what surprises they have for the future.
Hyundai Motor Philippines has got the ground running in 2023, and they intend to keep the pace up this year. Expect the full lineup on display at MIAS, but there could be a surprise in store. They already announced they are launching the all-new Santa Fe this year, and MIAS would be a nice place to do just that. Or perhaps, Hyundai could hold the debut of the performance N brand in the country at MIAS. If we were to guess, they might even do both.
The Japanese brands participating in this year’s MIAS are Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Subaru. Based on our current information, Mitsubishi and Nissan are not likely to launch new models, but their current lineup will probably be on display. For Mitsubishi, their all-new Triton is likely to be the center of attraction, while Nissan could bring in the all-new Z and showcase more of their e-Power technology that’s now being recognized as a BEV (battery electric vehicle) in the country.
Suzuki has recently launched the five-door Jimny, and it's likely to be out on MIAS for test drives to reach a bigger audience. Likewise, the rest of their vehicle lineup should be on display. As for their new model launch, they might bring in the Ertiga's sportier MPV twin, the XL-7, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Subaru, on the other hand, will lead the staple attraction of MIAS: The Russ Swift Stunt Show. And if everything goes as planned, the GT Editions of the WRX and Crosstrek, along with the BRZ STI Edition will have their Philippine debuts.
Last but not least for the passenger vehicle side, brands Hongqi, Bestune, and BAW under distributor EVOxTerra will have their first major motor show debut at MIAS; along with Hycan (under Transcorp) and Seres (under QSJ) - more newcomer brands from China.
On the commercial vehicle side, Dutch truck manufacturer DAF will make its presence felt at MIAS. The Dongfeng brand will also be represented by Autokid Truck Solutions, where their commercial trucks will be on display, along with Chinese bus brand Kinglong. Lastly, a booth will also be set up by Chinese diesel engine specialist for marine and commercial vehicles Weichai.
Spectators can visit both the World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center Manila venues from April 4 to 7, 2024. Only a single ticket is needed to access both MIAS venues, which will cost PHP150 each. See you there!
Get your exclusive promo tickets through https://manilaautoshow.com/. MIAS 2024 is organized by Worldbex Services International and for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
