2015 Car Show Events

**jcal68** · April 12th, 2015 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Sweetlucious

The most annoying thing during carshows are those taking pictures. Taking pictures of the cars its ok. But taking pictures standing beside a model or letting somebody take a picture of you sitting inside a car, whats the point? 😬

Agree. Make a point by taking a picture inside a car with a model sitting on you. . .(joke lang po)

**jut703** · April 12th, 2015 05:45 PM

I've been going to MIAS since the first show in 2005. To those who are complaining that this year's show was lackluster compared to auto shows, well it's been that way since 2005. The local auto industry just isn't anywhere near as significant as, say, Bangkok, to merit a groundbreaking auto show.

One difference I noticed was that for the first 4-5 years of the show, it was attended mostly by car enthusiasts. Then naturally, it became more mainstream and became a weekend attraction even for non-car fans. That would've been fine if all of these guys went to the show to check out the cars and perhaps even help them decide on their next purchase.

However, as the years passed more and more people went to the events to ogle at models (who look bored to death since they couldn't care less about the cars they pose beside). Then these "photographers" with their kit lens SLRs spend about 80% of the time taking pictures of the models, comparing which one was the prettiest rather than which car was the nicest. It's a car purist's nightmare. Funny also that they act as if having a picture with the pretty models is something brag-worthy, when these models pose with anyone and everyone, and are there every year anyway.

Then there also came the invasion of the Chinese brands about 3 years ago, increasing in number every year. Nowadays, they target mostly budding entrepreneurs with their utility vehicles, probably because they realize that Filipinos would never buy Chinese vehicles as personal transport. I think for this show, it was about 40% Chinese with BYD, Foton, JMC (and the Indian Tata) filling up the WTC.

There were far less test drives this year as well. Subaru's test drive was just a short technical course for the FXT and XV, which I found futile since 99% of buyers wouldn't even subject their SUVs to those conditions. Mazda's test drive didn't even have the Mz2 which was supposedly their highlight. Only VW had a complete line-up this year, sans the Touareg (which was in last year's PIMS).

Oh, and speaking of PIMS, the very fact that we have 2 major auto shows every year further ruins any hope of a world-class auto show. If the dealers and distributors themselves can't join to make a united effort, what's the point? The major brands not present in this year's MIAS will probably be in PIMS in September, but since some of the bigger brands were already present in MIAS, I'm sure floor space for PIMS will be filled with Chinese brands again. One of the 2 shows has to bow down to the other so we can have all the major brands in one show.

But ultimately, I think that the car companies themselves are finding it more and more futile to have an auto show. There are a lot of new model launches this year, but none of which waited for MIAS (unlike BIMS where global reveals are made). Mazda revealed the PH Mz2 in MIAS, but it's not even available to dealers yet, which kinda defeats the purpose. I'm guessing that the cost to participate in the show isn't even covered by the minimal additional sales they get. Established brands like Toyota or Honda don't need to set up a booth to generate interest in their new models anymore, especially if they won't be reaching out to a very wide market anyway (bec of the PIMS/MIAS duality).

In my ideal world, we'll only have one major auto show annually, with all the big brands participating and using it as an avenue to launch their new models to generate hype and a strong reason to attend, with dealerships offering test drives of a wide array of vehicles to entice would-be buyers to sway towards their cars. It'll take the fragmented auto industry a long time before that, but for now I'll have to make do with our ho-hum motor shows. It's just a hundred pesos and a few hours of your time anyway.

**macsd** · April 13th, 2015 10:12 AM

Now that the show is over and comments, opinions, observations & recommendations stated in this thread can we now see more picture of the models para maging balance programming ang thread na ito. Si Monseratto lang nag share ng pictures, i-share nyo na mga pictures you've taken so we can judge objectively.

**Stigg ma** · April 13th, 2015 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by macsd

Now that the show is over and comments, opinions, observations & recommendations stated in this thread can we now see more picture of the models para maging balance programming ang thread na ito. Si Monseratto lang nag share ng pictures, i-share nyo na mga pictures you've taken so we can judge objectively.

i enjoyed russ swift's precision driving show! the best (it was my first time to see it live)! why? because i saw him happy/smiling while driving/doing it, as if it was just all routine or game play for him... even had time for some photo-ops and autographs...

the only comment i can say is lack of advertisement for his show

**kimbon** · April 14th, 2015 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by jut703

However, as the years passed more and more people went to the events to ogle at models (who look bored to death since they couldn't care less about the cars they pose beside). Then these "photographers" with their kit lens SLRs spend about 80% of the time taking pictures of the models, comparing which one was the prettiest rather than which car was the nicest. It's a car purist's nightmare. Funny also that they act as if having a picture with the pretty models is something brag-worthy, when these models pose with anyone and everyone, and are there every year anyway

bro, +1 here. I read an articles 3 months ago that ***y models may be banned from Shanghai auto show. No idea if this proposal was pushed through. Any updated news from your end???

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Originally Posted by jut703

However, as the years passed more and more people went to the events to ogle at models (who look bored to death since they couldn't care less about the cars they pose beside). Then these "photographers" with their kit lens SLRs spend about 80% of the time taking pictures of the models, comparing which one was the prettiest rather than which car was the nicest. It's a car purist's nightmare. Funny also that they act as if having a picture with the pretty models is something brag-worthy, when these models pose with anyone and everyone, and are there every year anyway

bro, +1 here. I read an articles 3 months ago that ***y models may be banned from Shanghai auto show. No idea if this proposal was pushed through. Any updated news from your end???

**jcal68** · April 14th, 2015 03:57 AM

Hmm. . .seems like putting models together with the cars really worked.
There are about equal number of comments which are for or against these models.
Regardless of the tally, their presence indeed captured your attention.
Good publicity or bad publicity is still publicity. . .