MIAS 2025: 20 long years of consistently “showing up” and bringing amazing automotive spectacles
For 20 years now, we have marveled at the amazing spectacle of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). Within that span, MIAS has stood as the country’s premier automotive event, bringing together leading brands and industry partners in delivering world-class exhibits and memorable experiences for both car enthusiasts and visitors alike.
The show’s origins traces its roots back to a collaboration between motoring writers Jason K. Ang, Ulysses K. Ang, and Alvin Uy, and Worldbex Services International’s founding chairman, Joseph Ang.
Inspired by international auto shows, they aimed to bring a similar experience to Filipino car enthusiasts.
Since the very beginning, MIAS has wanted to be a world-class exhibition venue valued by manufacturers and visitors.
Even during the three years of the pandemic, MIAS has even managed to steer the show to a virtual platform, proving the mettle and values of the showrunners in continuing to deliver and simply “showing up” year in and year out even in the grimmest of times.
The people behind the show have managed to still live that same principle even after two long decades.
“We have sought to improve on that every year. Even during challenging times like the pandemic, MIAS has gone online to still provide a worthwhile exhibition event,” shared Jason Ang, one of the head organizers of the show during an exclusive interview with Inquirer Motoring.
“As MIAS celebrates its 20th year, we strive to improve and provide the most exciting auto show,” he added.
2025 MIAS
According to him, the MIAS theme this year is “Driven by Connection.”
“We chose this theme to highlight that new cars and vehicles are including increasingly sophisticated infotainment systems to make it easier and more efficient for the driver,” continued Ang.
He added: “We also want to highlight MIAS as a venue for car brands to directly connect to their customers.”
“Nothing beats an auto show for car enthusiasts to see and experience what’s new.”
Moreover, for the organizers, our local industry is one of the world’s most innovative and highly advanced industries in the world, even ranking fourth as one of the fastest global industries in terms of revenue growth in 2024. With its fast growth, the industry needs an ideal platform to showcase its constant change and evolution; and MIAS is one of these platforms that can do that
“We have 26 car brands plus more than 50 car accessory and aftermarket exhibitors,” Ang shared, as these equate to more than 200 exhibitors that will be showcasing their products and services for the whole four-day duration of the show.
Furthermore, MIAS has, for one, cemented itself as the definitive platform for automotive excellence in the country. It is even recognized as the top automotive event here in our own turf, becoming a launchpad for global brands, such as: Aito, BAIC, Bestune, BYD, Changan, Chery, Foton, GAC, GWM, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaecoo, Jetour, Kia, Lotus, Lynk & Co., MINI, MG, Nissan, Omoda, Rox, Suzuki, Tesla, Vinfast, and Zeekrs, motorcycle brands Aprilia, Segway, Triumph, and Vespa, and truck brands FAW, JAC and Sinotruk. All of which are expected to participate in this year’s show.
Reports even revealed that with the current global automotive landscape, this year’s show will particularly highlight innovation, particularly in areas like AI-assisted driving. For one, East Asian manufacturers lead in automotive patent applications: Japan accounts for 57.75 percent, followed by South Korea at 16.61 percent, and Germany at 12.28 percent. These statistics showcase the region’s significant contribution to automotive advancements.
In addition, with the automotive scene nowadays veering toward the direction of electrified mobility, the same kind of color will be expected at the show.
Customers Ang further explained are interested in hybrid and electric vehicles.
“MIAS will have some of the latest hybrids and EVs (electric vehicles).”
When asked about their target number of spectators for this year, Ang then replied: “We want to exceed 2024’s 162,000 visitors ”. Hence, with this, we look forward to a better and brighter than ever MIAS in the coming days.
