MIAS to turn 20 this year, looks back at beginnings

MANILA: The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) will hold its 20th edition next month. And before that happens, the premiere motoring expo looks back at its beginnings as well as how the global and local automotive landscape has changed in the past two decades.

Here is a quick glance at how the annual event came to be.

Drive for innovation

MIAS was formed when motoring writers Jason and Ulysses Ang as well as Alvin Uy approached Worldbex Services International (WSI) Chairman Joseph Ang to highlight the local automotive industry’s passion and drive for innovation.

According to the organizers of the event, the intention of the three — who were inspired by auto shows they attended overseas — was to create an international-grade and industry-based auto show.

“We (the writers) took inspiration from attending international auto shows and we international auto shows and we international auto shows and we experience for the Philippine auto buyers and enthusiasts,” the WSI boss was quoted saying.

Ang (Joseph) used his experience and expertise to stage their first-ever auto expo back in April 2005. In addition, he wanted to create the event as a tribute to his late father, who the MIAS organizers noted, was a car dealer and was heavily involved in the automotive industry before his passing.

Since its inception, MIAS has earned recognition from different international brands and has become the annual go-to event for marques when introducing new models into the market. Further, it also gained support from various motoring organizations, which we have listed here:

• Automobile Association of the Philippines
• Tuason Racing School
• Car Awards Group Incorporated

This year, the brands participating in the 20th edition of MIAS are the following:

Passenger car brands:

Aito	Kia
BAIC (Beijing Automotive Group Company Limited)	Lotus
Bestune	Lynk and Co
BYD	Mini
Changan	MG (Morris Garages)
Chery	Nissan
Foton	Omoda
GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group Company Limited)	Rox
GWM (Great Wall Motors)	Suzuki
Hyundai	Tesla
Isuzu	Vinfast
Jaecoo	Zeekr
Jetour

Truck brands

• FAW
• JAC
• Sinotruk

Motorcycle marques

• Segway
• Triumph
• Vespa

The abovementioned manufacturers will showcase their offerings and the latest additions to their stables with over 200 car displays.

Partnering with MIAS this year are companies like BPI Auto Loans, Petron, and Shell.

Global, local auto industry

The automotive industry in general has changed in the past 20 years.

According to the event organizers, the Japanese lead the race to innovation having filed some 57.75 percent of automotive patent applications while the South Koreans follow behind with a percentage of 16.61.

Finally, the Germans trail third with 12.28 percent patent petitions.

"As for us Filipinos, we — the folks behind MIAS stressed — have contributed to the industry through vehicle assembly and manufacturing of vehicle components for other big car companies."

Filipino motorists are also showing interest in artificial intelligence-driven automotive technologies, and MIAS aims to be the place where these innovations are featured.

“The Manila International Auto Show will be at the forefront of showcasing the future of the industry and bringing more eyes toward the future of innovation in 2025,” the organization said in a press release.

MIAS 2025 will happen from April 10-13, 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay.

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