Motoring Today Column

Jun 01, 2022

The best advice one could give those looking to buy cars is to test drive prospects.

Certainly many took that advice during the four days of the 2022 Auto Focus Multi-Brand Summer Test Drive Festival presented by Motul.

Held from May 26 to 29, the multi-brand test drive festival drew hundreds daily to check out and experience the latest models from the 9 participating automakers and distributors.

Hot sunny days or intermittent rains didn't stop car enthusiasts and would-be buyers from heading over to the concert grounds of the SM Mall of Asia to sign up for test drives.

The Numbers

The numbers tell of how the festival showed great interest from the buying public as droves came down to experience hands-on testing.

And that's not counting many who just wanted to check out up close the exterior and exterior features of the new models in the market, feel how the doors close, measure trunk capacity or touchscreen size, and other whatnots.

Team members of the 9 participating auto companies found themselves busy assisting people who wanted to know features of their latest models on exhibit and made available for test drives.

At this point we'd like to thank Motul and the 9 auto companies - Changan, GAC, Geely, Isuzu, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Toyota - for helping make the return of the Auto Focus Test Drive Festival a runaway success after a two-year absence caused by Covid-19 pandemic.

Compleat Course

A short but comprehensive course was laid out to give test drivers the opportunity to experience first-hand the interior comforts and conveniences as well as handling and performance of their dream vehicles. Some can describe it as Gymkhana.

There's the long straight, a chicane of sorts outlined by pylons, a box with cones for simulated parking.

Marshals ensured everything ran smoothly and safely. Kudos to them for making the festival incident- and trouble-free.

Those who wanted to test the cars in real traffic situations were allowed - properly accompanied of course by respective team members from auto companies - to drive around the streets around the MOA complex.

During the festival, many brand new cars marked with Official Test Drive Vehicle stickers were seen at the wide streets of the MOA complex.

Experiencing Green

The festival also allowed many to discover and experience how it is to drive full electric and hybrid vehicles - including theNissan Leaf and Toyota Rav4, among other Green automobiles available for test drives.

The festival also opened the eyes of many to how new car brands and models in the market - such asChangan's CS35Plus, GAC's GS4, Geely's Emgrand and MG's MG ZST - stacked up against the more established brands in terms of premium features, build quality, and automotive technologies.

Brand loyalists also had the chance to take a look at totally new or upgraded models, with an eye out for possibly trading in the old for the new. Among the more popular test drives at the festival included the newest in Toyota's lineup, the Raize, and the Mitsubishi Xpander.

Some came to try out models like the Isuzu Traviz that they can used for business.

What made the multi-brand festival even more useful for buyers is the chance to compare the pros and cons of having an MPV, an SUV or crossover, hatchbacks or sedans.

Tempting Offers

Quite interesting was how innovative and aggressive price and promo schemes blurred the lines between subcompact and compact segments of model types.

This was particularly true among SUVs and crossovers.

Many brought children along to see how the entire family fits comfortably inside their dream purchase. Or how the car fits the family's needs and, yes, the all-important budget.

The new Suzuki Celerio generated interest from families looking for their first car. The SPresso and the Jimny also were popular sign-ups in the Suzuki stable.

Respective sales people were present to detail the pricing and promos that proved too tempting for some.

Many of the exhibitors reported being able to close deals with buyers at the multi-brand test drive festival.

The festival adds to the belief of the local automotive industry that it is well on the way to recovery with more people interested in buying new cars.

This certainly makes the Auto Focus Multi-Brand Summer Test Drive Festival successful in fulfilling the objective of helping bring together car buyer and automotive companies in a very accessible and convenient venue conducive for closing deals.

Happy Motoring!!!

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