MIAS 2025: What to expect at the Manila International Auto Show

The 2025 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is just around the corner. As the country’s biggest annual motoring event, the 20th edition of MIAS is an event that showgoers, enthusiasts, industry executives, and potential car buyers would not want to dare miss.

Returning to a format where spectators can access all participating brands under one roof, the World Trade Center Manila’s halls will be home to both new and established carmakers featuring their latest models and technologies come April.

So what can we expect for this year’s edition of MIAS?

For prospective car buyers, this year’s MIAS is the ideal event to make well-informed vehicle choices. Apart from new product launches from participating brands, customers can also get to experience the latest models in the market through the outdoor test drive area.

Car enthusiasts will once again be in for a treat as a display of well-restored and neatly customized vehicles is in store for the MIAS-Petron Classic Car Competition. It’s also the best place to secure reservations for a new car purchase as most of the participating brands are expected to offer exclusive deals, with BPI returning as the exclusive auto loan presenter at the show.

Since 2025 is the first full year where there are zero excise taxes for new energy vehicles such as hybrids, PHEVs, and battery electric vehicles, electrification will be at the forefront of this year’s MIAS.

Participating brands will be out to launch their latest electrified vehicles with attractive value-for-money propositions, especially those coming from China. Speaking of which, Chinese auto brands will command the majority of the booths, comprising 17 of the 24 passenger vehicle makes at the show, and all three of the participating truck brands, namely FAW, JAC, and Sinotruk.

In fact, some of them will have their first appearance at a major Philippine motor show at MIAS. Those include the likes of Tesla; which recently debuted in the Philippines, and Vinfast – an electric vehicle manufacturer from Vietnam. Likewise, the Rox brand is making its debut at MIAS with the 01 – an outdoor lifestyle-oriented range-extender EV SUV.

BYD is making a big push to introduce one electrified vehicle after the other as it wants to lead the new energy vehicle segment in the country, and we can expect them to have its full lineup out on display from the Seagull EV to the upcoming Shark plug-in hybrid pickup truck.

Speaking of electrification, GAC Motor is intent on introducing electrified versions of their vehicles to the market. Hybrid versions of the Empow sedan, GS8 SUV, and M8 MPV are already on the DOE’s recognized list, so hopefully we get to see those showcased at this year’s MIAS.

GWM, on the other hand, has been relatively conservative in its model releases as of late. They previewed vehicles like the Wey Gaoshan MPV and the Haval Menglong last year, but those are yet to be officially sold in the market. Perhaps, we'll get to know more about GWM's next steps come MIAS time.

Jetour had strong and steady growth in its second year of operations in the country. After offering mainly ICE vehicles in its initial lineup, the brand has confirmed they are launching hybrid and plug-in hybrid models for 2025. MIAS could be the very place for those launches to happen for Jetour.

MG had one of the biggest booths in last year’s MIAS and occupied a huge chunk of space in the SMX venue. They previewed cars like the MG 7, the Mifa 9 EV, and the RX9, but they are yet to offer those in the market up to now. Likewise, the MG HS PHEV was previewed at last year’s PIMS, but the crossover is also yet to go on sale. Hopefully, 2025 MIAS will finally be the place for those cars to have their official launches.

Omoda and Jaecoo are making positive steps in their operations in the Philippine market. They are out to build a strong dealer network this year, and the brand’s initial lineup of vehicles seems to be priced competitively. MIAS 2025 is then a perfect venue for customers who are curious about the brand as they can check out the C5 and E5 crossovers, as well as the EJ6 SUV.

SERES/AITO will also be presenting their extended-range EVs at the event.

United Asia Automotive Group, Inc., or UAAGI, relaunched the BAIC brand last year along with the grand debut of Lynk & Co at MIAS. Together with Foton and Chery, we can expect UAAGI to have one of the busiest booths at MIAS as its house of brands forms a comprehensive lineup of vehicles - ranging from electric hatchbacks to large mild-hybrid pickup trucks.

The UAAGI Performance Center at the test drive area is also expected to gather large crowds as spectators get firsthand experience of what the cars under the UAAGI group can do.

As for Korean car manufacturers, both Kia and Hyundai will have their own respective booths at this year’s MIAS. Kia is recently flexing its lineup that consists of traditional ICEs, turbo hybrids, and full EVs on mall tours across the country, and we could expect the same to happen at the World Trade Center.

Hyundai, on the other hand, could highlight its high-performance vehicles under the N brand along with hybrid versions of the Santa Fe and Tucson. The hybrid Staria Lounge has already been homologated by the LTO, so there’s a chance that it could make an appearance at MIAS.

After serving as one of the pioneer brands at MIAS, Subaru joins Ford in the list of established manufacturers that won’t be making an appearance for the 2025 edition. That also means the Russ Swift Stunt Show, which has long been a staple side event at MIAS, will not take place.

That leaves the Japanese contingent for this year’s show in the hands of Isuzu and Suzuki. Isuzu is the country’s leader in commercial trucks, but they could also spring a surprise launch for their passenger vehicle side in the form of the new mu-X. Initial units loaded on transport trucks have been spotted lately, so Isuzu could already be gearing up to introduce the refreshed model.

Suzuki is a brand that normally likes to introduce new models during the first half of the year, and they have quite a few interesting models that could make their Philippine debut. Those include the Raize-sized Fronx that’s now in Southeast Asia and the all-new Dzire that boasts a five-star Global NCAP rating.

While it’s good to read about what to expect at this year’s edition of the Manila International Auto Show, nothing beats the experience of visiting to see the upcoming cars and having fun with the activities firsthand.

The 20th Manila International Auto Show will be held from April 10 to 13, 2025, at World Trade Center Manila. Exclusive promo tickets are now on sale at https://manilaautoshow.com/.