CAMPI president Elizabeth Lee

By ROY MEDINA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) kicked off its "environment-friendly" second installment of the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) scheduled next month in Pasay City.

Elizabeth Lee, CAMPI president, said that this year's PIMS set August 21-24 at the World Trade Center has a "green" theme, "Drive the Future: Towards Safer and Cleaner Motoring." It will highlight the auto industry's role amid global and environmental concerns, rising fuel prices and tips on how car buyers should decide on their auto purchases.

"We will likewise share some tips and insights on how each one of us, as an integral part of growth, can lower our carbon footprint," she added in her opening remarks during Tuesday's PIMS launch at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City.

Lee said that this year's PIMS will take off from the success of the maiden event last year that attracted around 60,000 car lovers and motoring fans.

While the aftermath of the first outing witnessed the charting of the 100,000-mark in terms of vehicle sales, year 2007 also saw the changing of global trends in the automotive industry.

One of these trends is the customers' struggle to find more affordable and environment-friendly modes of transportation as a result of high fuel prices and global warming as a result of carbon dioxide emissions.

"We can help steer the nation towards a tomorrow where cars churn up less emissions, consume less fuel while generating more power," she said.

She added that the next month's show will gather 15 global brands under one roof and highlight the introduction of new concept cars that run on electricity and other hybrids.

The CAMPI chief described these concept units as "environment-friendly, energy-efficient, safety-oriented and pocket-friendly."

From left: PIMS public relations chief Froilan Dytianquin, CAMPI vice-president Mel Dizon, Lee, secretary-general Homer Maranan and treasurer Alfredo Magpayo.

Growth beyond RP borders

Lee also said that aside from educating the motoring public on environmental awareness, PIMS 2008 also looks forward to expand its reach not only in the Philippines but among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well.

"We also hope to validate the potential market for additional investments showing what is clearly an opportunity for added expansion vis-a-vis our ASEAN neighbors," she said, adding that ASEAN integration is not only feasible but can be a reality.

Domestically, Lee said that PIMS will also want to tap the market of young motoring enthusiasts, describing them as the "source of future design engineers and the hope of the auto industry."

"As young, entrepreneurial, aggressive and up and coming buyers, the youth can help expand the domestic market --  a critical factor to increase competitiveness within the region," she added.

More in store

Based on market research, Lee said that the efforts of individual members and CAMPI as a whole have paid off.

Related Document
• CAMPI Presscon Presentation July 22, 2008

For the first half of the year, the industry grew by 13.6 percent. She, however, said that this was not easy to achieve.

"We want the growth to continue. It is an uphill battle," she said.

Lee said that the Philippines auto industry is now a P90-billion market. It has also generated 74,000 jobs and contributed P18.9 billion in revenues to the government in 2007 alone.

But despite these positive notes, Lee said that the industry can do much more.

She said that as a group, CAMPI is promising to bring in what the auto industry has to offer in terms of new models, technology and motoring ways.

"This is a reflection of the dynamism and resiliency of the Philippine car industry -- that despite a global downtrend on vehicle sales, local car makers continue to register growth."