“Test drive it, before you buy it”
The tenet or doctrine for those who are in the market for an automobile, whether brand new or pre-owned is to feel it, experience it, ride it and drive it before deciding to buy it.
And the more than a thousand test drives registered in the most recent staging of the Auto Focus PreChristmas Multi Brand Test Drive Festival is testimony to the motoring public’s acceptance of the longestablished dogma.
Regarded by the local auto industry as the most convenient ‘one-stop shop’ for car buyers and a haven for auto enthusiasts, the 4-day Multi Brand Test Fest, which was held last weekend at the sprawling Mall
of Asia concert grounds gave the motoring public a chance to see and test drive all at the same time and in one venue an array of the latest brand new car models from the country’s top automobile manufacturers and importers all in one venue.
The traditional opening day cocktails last Thursday saw a lively gathering of auto industry executives and motoring journalists celebrating another usually successful staging of this twice-a-year (the other one in summer) event organized by Sunshine TV to help conveniently connect the auto industry and its market. Thirty-five models of varied brands from nine of the country’s top car manufacturers and importers (Honda Cars Philippines, Inc., Nissan Philippines, Inc., Suzuki Philippines, Inc., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, Corp., Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Motor Image Pilipinas (Subaru), Pilipinas Taj Autogroup (Tata), Asian Carmakers Corp.(BMW) and Ford Philippines) met the car buyers and automobile buffs last weekend from November 16 to 19, who were all given the choice of either doing the test within the venue or outside, with some opting for both. Some of the most sought-after models that were seen going in and out of the test drive course included the newly launched Suzuki Vitara followed by the currently fast-selling Honda CR-V, which recently won the People’s Choice Award for Compact SUV of the Year and the Mitsubishi Montero (People’s Choice Award for Midsize SUV of the Year, Media’s Choice Award for Best Engine Performance and Best Safety Features – Midsize SUV). From Ford, the Everest and the Ranger (Media’s Choice Award for Best Safety Features – Pickup) were also part of the busiest list while the Isuzu mu-X (Media’s Choice for Best Value for Money – Midsize SUV) and the Nissan X-Trail had its own share of test drives at the specially designed course intended to bring out a vehicle’s demeanor in different road conditions and situations.
The next staging of this Multi Brand Test Drive event shall be next year during the summer months, when the poised imposition of higher auto taxes may not be implemented yet, which would lead to a continuing buying spree of the latest automobile models in anticipation of higher prices.
Happy Motoring!!!