THE long wait is over. The show for the custom car, tuner and 4×4 enthusiasts is back and ready to “Get Mad About Styling and Tuning,” the country’s largest automotive aftermarket show—the 2014 Manila Auto Salon, will run until the 23rd at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Over 150 project vehicles on display and competition are participating in this year’s show all modified and customized from personal vehicles, competition and performance cars to offroad giants. The show also has trade and retail booths for the automotive aftermarket, making it a one-stop shop for the car enthusiast. “The Philippine car show scene will not be complete without Manila Auto Salon. This yearend motoring event specifically designed and prepared for the hardcore petrolheads is the motor show that conquers the Philippine automotive aftermarket scene,” said Sophie de los Santos, Tradeshow International president.
She added that Manila Auto Salon feels for the vehicle owners who are faced with challenges brought about by the pending vehicle modification regulations because she believes in one’s right to modify his vehicle to suit his lifestyle. “After all, your vehicle is like your second home, at least for the true car enthusiast,” she quips. She hopes that through Manila Auto Salon, the public will see Filipino automotive styling and craftsmanship at its best and how it helps generate employment and business in the aftermarket scene.
This year’s show has over 150 custom cars, sport trucks, SUVs and Tuner cars vying for the Best of Show awards in all five categories, namely, Best Custom Car, Best Sport Utility Vehicle, Best Sport Truck, Best Tuner Car and Best in Extreme Custom. Project vehicles to watch out for are the latest creations of Car Porn Racing, which bagged both the Best Custom Car and Best Tuner Car awards last year. The 4×4 /offroad scene will still be dominated by 199-Off Road House, which garnered two major Best of Show awards last year, the Best in Extreme Custom and Best SUV; the Ironman 4×4 group, which got the Best Sport Truck award and which will also be showcasing a huge outdoor-themed display this year, plus Bilstein/Makna Marketing with eight entries. Fielding in a big display as well are new players such as the Top 4×4 and Dobinson group. This is truly going to be tough for this year’s judges. There will be a total of nine judges this year, namely, Pepon Marave, George Apacible, Charlie Cruz, Nilo Escalona, John Escobar, Sophie de los Santos, Beeboy Bargas, Bernie Bayani and Alex Claudio.
The 2014 Manila Auto Salon exhibit profile includes car maintenance products, performance parts and accessories, racing products, audio, security and mobile electronics, replacement parts, restyling/ground effects, body shop service/repair, brake systems components, safety and navigation equipment, specialty equipment, chemicals and lubricants, clothing/memorabilia, tires/wheels, tools/service equipment, engines and engine parts, machine shop equipment, truck parts/accessories, off-road parts and accessories, paint, body and equipment, motor oils, online marketing, motoring publications—clearly a four-day one-stop-shop motoring experience and a perfect time for Christmas shopping just for the petrolheads.