An extraordinary opportunity to test drive the various models and variants offered by 20 auto brands in the country will be at the 3rd Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) which opened yesterday at the World Trade Center-Manila at the CCP Complex along Roxas Blvd. It will be open until Sunday, Aug. 22. It is organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) led by Elizabeth Lee, its president.

As of last count, there will be 40 vehicles that the car manufacturers and distributors have lined up for the test drive booths outside the main hall. These are the:

Toyota Prius, Vios 1.3 and Fortuner TRD from Toyota Motor Phils.; Mitsubishi ASX and Lancer from Mitsubishi Motors Phils; Honda City, Jazz, Civic, CR-V and Accord from Honda Cars Phils.; Nissan Navara pickup, Patrol Super Safari and Murano from Universal Motors Corp-Nissan; Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, Genesis Coupe and Tucson from Hyundai Asia Resources Inc.; Mercedes Benz E-Class, C-Class 250 CGI, B-Class 160, Chrysler 300C sedan, and Jeep Commander CRD from CATS Motors Inc.

Kia Rio, Soul and Sorento from Columbian Autocars Corp; Volvo C30, XC 60 and XC90 from Viking Cars; Isuzu Alterra, D-Max and Crosswind from Isuzu Phils. Corp; Nissan Sentra 200 and X-Trail from Nissan Motors Phils. Inc.; Suzuki SX4, APV Type 2, Celerio and Swift from Suzuki Phils.; Chevrolet Captiva, Cruze LS and LT from Chevrolet Phils. – TCCCI; BMW 1-Series and X1 from Asian Carmakers Corp.

New cars unveiled
The motor show will also be the stage for the unveiling of new cars. These will be the Mitsubishi ASX, the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Superior Sedan, the Kia Cadenza 3.5-liter luxury sedan, Mercedes Benz SLS AMG sports car and the MB B-Class with parking assist, and the all-new Volvo S60.

Drive the Green Road

The theme of the 3rd PIMS is “Drive the Green Road” which launches CAMPI’s advocacy campaign on environmental awareness. The My Ride + Earth will give visitors a complimentary copy of the Green Motoring Guide which contains helpful green motoring tips from PIMS exhibitors.

Transport design contest

Now on its third year, the competition aims to discover talents, encourage design students, and provide green transportation solutions for our cities of tomorrow. It also seeks to raise the profile of transportation and product design as a viable career choice. Winning designs will be judged based on aesthetics, presentation clarity and quality, and feasible application in the real world.

BPI Family Bank promo

BPI Family Savings Bank has prepared a special auto financing rate exclusive for PIMS visitors.

Green Technology Pavilion

The CAMPI Technical Committee will showcase a green technology pavilion highlighting engine and vehicle technology simulators and will have interactive presentations on vehicle technology. The CAMPI Parts and Services Committee will showcase genuine automotive parts and counterfeit or fake parts.

Balik Baterya Program

To promote its advocacy on environmental safety awareness, Motolite is mounting its Balik Baterya program at the show. Visitors may donate their old automotive batteries on-site.

Concept Cars

The Hyundai ix-Metro will hug the limelight as the concept car presented by Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. It is a hybrid electric crossover utility vehicle that looks like an extraterrestrial lifeform protected by a compact robotic shell armor and technology-infused survival instincts.

Suzuki will present the Kizashi sports concept car; Mitsubishi will showcase the i-MIEV, a concept car that has grown into a production model now available in many countries.