After a 2 year hiatus brought about by the COVID crisis, the country’s biggest open air test drive festival is back. The AUTO FOCUS PRE-CHRISTMAS TEST DRIVE FESTIVAL (PCTDF) is set to return on November 17-20, 2022 at Block 20 of the SM Mall of Asia open grounds. Organized by Sunshine Television (STV), the festival again brings together competing automobile manufacturers and distributors in one single venue, and provides prospective car buyers and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to see and test drive multiple brands, and seek the best deals and offers, all within walking distance.
Following the successful re-opening of STV’s Summer Test Drive edition last May, the PCDTF is back to complete STV’s annual tandem of test drive festivals. Featured in the pre-Christmas edition are the latest car models of Changan, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and WM Motor.
Exclaimed Butch Gamboa, STV’s chairman and CEO: “Especially over recent months, we have seen quite an influx of all-new model introductions from various brands. Also, another welcome development is the entry of more hybrid, even fully electric, cars in the market. These herald the industry’s rise from the serious challenges the past 2 years have wrought. Likewise evident is the renewed interest and eagerness among the general car buying public who understandably laid low during the height of the ongoing crisis. What the Auto Focus Test Drive Festivals provide them is a veritable one-stop shop that negates the inconvenience of having to hop from one distributor to another in search of one’s model of choice. And the timing is also opportune since the industry considers the run-up to Christmas as a peak buying season.”
The PCTDF evolved from a series of the multi-weekend series of outdoor display/test drive activities that began in 2005 at the Bonifacio Global City area which was then still undergoing development and was considered to be Manila’s test drive Mecca. It became a major 4-day event erstwhile known as the Auto Focus Motorshow & Auto Expo when it was held at the World Trade Center in 2007. STV decided to forego the confines of a covered venue and avail of the benefits of contiguous display and test drive by reverting back to open air spaces the following year. Since 2008, the grounds around the SM Mall of Asia have proven to be the ideal site for what is presently known as the Auto Focus Test Drive Festival.
“With the easing of restrictions and the fact that people and businesses have adjusted to life in the “new normal”, we are happy to be back working with our automobile industry partners and welcoming on-site visitors again,” Gamboa said. “To be sure, health and safety protocols at the venue will still be in place. So, if you’re looking to buy a car and avail of the best offers, this is an event you must go to!”
The AUTO FOCUS PRE-CHRISTMAS TEST DRIVE FESTIVAL will be open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM throughout its 4-day run at the MOA Concert Grounds abounded by Seaside Boulevard, Ocean Drive and Bayshore Avenue. Parking is available alongside the venue. Test drive participants can get the chance to win prizes from select exhibitors. Admission to the public is free.