The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2008 pulled ahead of the competition and cemented its reputation as the country’s biggest motoring event.  Held last April 3 to 6 at the World Trade Center, MIAS 2008 drew 77,000 visitors.  This year, 24 car brands participated including several new first timers such as Chery and Chana.  This is up from last year where 22 car brands joined the show.  2008 also showcased the return of the air conditioned tent (located adjacent to the main exhibition hall) bringing the total indoor exhibition space to a sprawling 15,100 square meters.

Seeing the growing trend towards car customization and personalization, this year’s theme was entitled “Imagination in Motion”.  In connection with this, MIAS, in cooperation with Lightspeed Philippines premiered its first Classic Car and Custom Car Competition where an immaculately restored 1976 Mitsubishi Galant won best of show.  At the same time, the first ever EMMA (European Mobile Media Association) Sound Competition was held.  This was the first time a mobile sound competition was done with an internationally recognized rulebook.  Michelle Yu, the country’s leading female drifter served as one of the celebrity judges.

As the only major motoring event for the entire first half of 2008, several new models broke ground at the show including the all-new Mazda6, MX-5 PRHT, BMW M3 Coupe, and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. 

Being the only international-quality motor show held during summer break, MIAS continued its family-friendly atmosphwere to cater to just about anyone from casual car buyer to full-blown car enthusiasts.  World renowned precision driver Russ Swift made a stunning comeback behind the wheel of the all-new Subaru Impreza WRX STI.  Racing aficionados got up close and personal with the all-new Godzilla—the #22 MOTUL-Pitwork 350Z JGTC, the Tuason Racing Ford Focus TDCi and Formula 3 race car as well as a line-up of the country’s fastest dragsters.  Ford’s trademark off-road driving experience headlined the numerous brands, while Mazda held the record for more than one hundred test drives during the four day event.  Daily car club displays from the Muscle Car Club to the BMW E30 Club, an FHM bikini car wash, contests were some of the other activities done.

Over the past three years, The Manila International Auto Show aimed to help the Philippine car industry by providing a world-class showcase for brand-building and generating vehicle sales.  With a visitor count averaging 68,000 people, The Manila International Auto Show hopes also to ignite the passion and enthusiasm for all things automotive.

The Car of the Year - Philippines (COTY), the Volvo C30 Sports Coupe, set in Petron gasoline station served as an eye-catcher in the MIAS lobby.

Everyone spared no expense in making this year's MIAS the biggest in terms of both scale and visitor count.

Ford, which showcased their new Focus TDCI race car also won the "Best Display" during the show.  The "Best Presentation" plum went to sister company, Mazda.