By Tessa R. Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE LAST strip of confetti from the Manila International Auto Show, attended by over 77,000 visitors, has barely been swept off the spacious hall of the World Trade Center, and yet the fireworks begin again for another car show, the Trans Sport Show 2008 at SM Megamall. But that’s another story fit for restoration enthusiasts.

These two exhibits, spaced so close to one another, just show that Filipinos’ thirst for new cars isn’t quenched by “rice-ing” fuel and food prices.

So what exactly were the MIAS machines that made us forget, albeit for a while, the growl in the stomach, for the roar of the engines?

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By Aida Sevilla-Mendoza
Philippine Daily Inquirer

IN THE PHILIPPINE car industry, there are two groups: the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) and the non-Campi. The non-Campi are considered mavericks or upstarts that, for one reason or another, dropped out of Campi or have not joined the Campi establishment.

Early this month, the non-Campi showcased their products at the 4th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) at the World Trade Center. The new wrinkle in the 4th MIAS was the participation of two Chinese car manufacturers—Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. and Chana. The newest kids on the block occupied large pavilions and unveiled cute minicars that are priced to grab market share from the Suzuki Alto, Chevrolet Spark and Kia Picanto.

Many people have heard of Chery, which entered the Philippine market last year and now has 28 dealerships all over the country. Geely, another Chinese brand, set up a distribution hub in the Subic Freeport in 2007. But Chana?

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CHECK out this video INQUIRER.net reporter Relly Carpio took of world-renowned precision driver Russ Swift wowing the crowd with his driving skills at the show grounds of the Manila International Auto Show 2008

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For his performances, Swift used the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI and the MI Rally Model, which is an exact replica of the winning Subaru car in the World Rally Championships.

By Relly Carpio
INQUIRER.net

MAZDA has revealed the all-new Mazda MX-5 Retractable Hard Top (RHT) that combines the comfort and convenience of a hard top with the exhilaration of a convertible. The new MX-5 is inspired by the Japanese phrase Jinba Ittai that literally means “oneness between horse and rider.”

Check out the video I took.

Sarah Meier, model and MTV VJ, was on hand for the revealing. Eric Malimban, the marketing manager of Mazda Philippines, expressed his excitement about the third-generation Miata, saying, “the Mazda MX-5 RHT is the epitome of Mazda’s stylish, innovative brand essence and the realization of the Zoom-Zoom spirit Mazda is known for.”

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By Relly Carpio
INQUIRER.net

CHANA Automobile Co. Ltd., China’s largest minivan producer, made its Philippine debut on Thursday at the Manila International Auto Show.

Stephen Sy, president of Focus Ventures Inc., Chana’s exclusive Philippine distributor, was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Chana is offering a wide product range with three distinct categories: the super mini, the minivans and the minitrucks/multi-carry vehicles. All models are equipped with 1.3 liter 16 valve engines. Each comes with a three-year warranty, “which shows our commitment and trust in the product,” Sy said.

Their carrier product is the Benni, a super mini, at P438,000, available in manual or automatic, with power steering, driver’s airbag, ABS, power windows and front and rear fog lamps. The Benni was styled in Italy, and is a survivor of the Chana Trax Experience, where Chana took their vehicles on an 80-day drive for 26,000 kms from China to South Africa.

Chana also offered three 8-seater compact MPVs — the Starlight, Star II and the CM8 — and three compact mini-truck models.

By Relly Carpio
INQUIRER.net

FORD introduced its Ford Focus TDCi, the first diesel-fed vehicle to “hit the track” in the Philippines. It was developed together with Tuason Racing School (TRS). JP Tuason, owner of TRS, said he was “delightfully surprised to have done very little modification on the Focus, showcasing its real ’street to track’ capability.”

TRS matched the engine with an enhanced suspension, fiberglass body parts, K&N filters, racing brake pads, six-point rollcage, racing seats, racing seatbelts and a fire extinguisher. But the engine was kept stock, a powerful engine at 136 HP with its 2nd-generation common rail injection technology.

Here’s a video I took of Ford Group Philippines president Richard Baker unveiling the Ford Focus TDCi on Day 1 of the Manila International Auto Show.

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By Relly Carpio
INQUIRER.net

THE MANILA International Auto Show 2008 opened Thursday at the World Trade Center in Pasay.

Apart from many of the major car manufacturers, the list of exhibitors includes a number of car accessories and services suppliers. Among the highlights in the show activities is the presence of precision driver Russ Swift who will perform for the duration of the event, which will run until April 6 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Here’s a video I took of Subaru CEO Glenn Tan unveiling the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI and the MI Rally Model, which is an exact replica of the winning Subaru car in the World Rally Championships.

Swift will be using the brand new Imprezas for his performances.

More on that soon.