Manila International Auto Show 2022

     Last weekend, I was given the opportunity to attend the annual Manila International Auto Show. Based on visitors, cars on display, and presented exhibits, it became known as the biggest auto show in the Philippines.

    During the local exhibition, over 400 cars, trucks and other vehicles were shown. Since the event took place at the World Trade Center in Pasay, the place was big and strife with attendees such as I. Instead of narrating each and every thing I saw, what better to put than pictures.

    Right at the start, just after the ticket booth, was the truck section. Many of those in display were trucks manufactured in China and Europe, such as DAF. At the tail end of the section were two large pickups in display, a Ford Raptor and a Ram 2500. They belonged to One Fortress, a luxury car dealership and a body shop specializing in armoring and bulletproofing vehicles.

    Inside the hall were numerous exhibits scattered right before the main hall of cars. Featured here was the section of Porsche Design, with a classic Porsche 912 on display.

    Next was an exhibit by Lego, with a scaled Ferrari built out of its bricks and a Wrangler on display.

    Inside the main hall were the primary exhibitors, the first one seen was Changan, a newcomer Chinese brand in the domestic market, with vehicles such as the CS75 Plus, the CS35 Plus, and the Alsvin.

    
    Next in line was Peugeot's exhibit, with its all-new 2008. The French brand has been gaining traction recently with its 3008, 5008 and Traveller models.

    Next was Geely, with an Emgrand featured here. They've already been gaining popularity for the past year with the Coolray and the Okavango.

    And here with, arguably, the biggest exhibit in the show was Subaru. Featured in the front was its new Evoltis SUV, a mid-size larger in length and width compared to the Forester and the Outback.

    And here located at the back of the exhibit were a multitude of custom, modified and restored cars. The first ones seen were a Volkswagen Beetle, a J80 and an FJ40 Land Cruiser, and a modified Nissan Sentra, belonging to Don Robert's Bridal Cars.

    At the back-end of the main hall, behind the main exhibiting brands was the continuation of the theme of modified cars. Seen here was the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The old gen 2 Mitsubishi Lancer GSR

    A rare Isuzu Gemini, once extremely popular on our streets, many being used as taxicabs.

    And a classic Toyota Corona pickup truck/ute, with two old scooters at the back.

    Next to it were a few caravans on display. Although quite common in the European countryside, especially in Britain, caravans and motorhomes are an extreme rarity here, since their low demand here doesn't work with its huge price tag.

    

    And found here was Motul's exhibit, with a Ferrari and a McLaren.

    Next to it was Chevrolet's exhibit, featuring their brand new Tahoe, with a price nearing the 5 million mark.

    Afterwards, I headed over to Chery's exhibit, another entering Chinese brand that has started to gain popularity with their Tiggo SUVs.

    Next was the biggest Chinese brand in our market. MG Motors, once a British automaker that was bought back in the mid-2000's by SAIC, the biggest Chinese automaker in China. Featured in the middle was a sports version of their most popular vehicle, the MG ZS crossover.

    And in here was Nissan's exhibit, rivaling the Subaru exhibit in size and interactivity. Outside the hall, a display of the Nissan Leaf had been featured with a test drive showcase for the Leaf, the Almera and the Terra.

    Next to Nissan was an exhibition by Michelin tires, on display was a striking 5-Series and an especially cool Aston Martin DB11.

    Found with a smaller exhibit compared to the rest was the Italian luxury automaker, Maserati, with a Quattroporte, a GranCabrio and a Levante on display.

    At the next wing of the exhibit were smaller stands that still featured cars. Here was Liqui Moly with an showcase of the Z4.

    

    Next was an auto parts store by the name of Drift Exhaust, with the all-new Corvette C8 on display, it being my first time seeing one.

  And on display in this vintage cars section was a fully restored Willys Jeep Station Sedan. It was a restoration job done by Alfred Motors.

    Next to it was the work of The Detail Studio, with another gen 2 Lancer clean and shiny as if it just rolled out of a Mitsubishi dealership from 1982.

    And beside it was an old C3 Corvette in gleaming orange.

    And here showcased was another fully restored vehicle, a rare Ford Super Deluxe Convertible.

    At the end of the day, once you have headed to the exits were a few more restored and modified cars. This one here was the famous Datsun 240Z

    This one here placed upon wheels was a Starlet, a rare find in such good condition.

    And by its side in bright turquoise was an old Corolla coupe

    And another Corolla in orange with its engine out in the open, for anyone and everyone to see.

    A first gen Mitsubishi Lancer

    

    And lastly, our third Corolla, in yellow nonetheless.

    Although the day I visited the event was drenched in pouring rain, the show nevertheless was an enjoyable hit, proving itself why it was the biggest car show in the whole country. It did not disappoint in terms of size and displayed vehicles. Overall, it was a very cool event.