In celebration of its 25th year in the Philippine automotive market, Toyota Motors Philippines recently launched a world-class car show at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, called The World of Toyota. This week-long car show features the latest line-up of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, as well as some interesting concept cars and classic Toyota models from the 1960s until the 1980s. For a minimum entrance fee (but free for pre-registered bloggers such as myself), you can get up close and personal with these cars, and get a glimpse of Toyota Motors' interesting history. Reserving a Toyota car right at the venue also entitles you to some pretty sweet deals that you might not get anywhere else. For one, you can get a free portable GPS navigation device if you reserve/purchase a Toyota Vios right at the World Trade Center! Awesome, isn't it?
I myself drive a Toyota (a 7 year-old Corolla Altis), and I must say, the car has never had any serious issues. Toyota is known globally for its high quality vehicles and I can personally attest to that. Toyota is also known for its environment-friendly and fuel-efficient vehicles, and Toyota actually pioneered the use of hybrid technology when it introduced the Toyota Prius in 1997, and soon enough, other car makers followed with their own line of hybrid cars.
When the people over at Toyota Motors Philippines decided to invite bloggers to cover this event, I knew I couldn't pass up the chance to be part of it. I immediately registered as a blogger and a week later, I was at the World Trade Center to check out what Toyota has in store!
These modified Toyota 86 greets visitors as they enter the World Trade Center.
Registering is a must--regular visitors need to pay a minimum entrance fee. You'll also be given raffle tickets where you could win awesome prizes (a raffle is held every hour).
They have the latest line-up of Toyota vehicles on display. Curiously though, the Toyota Prius (the regular one) seems to be missing. I wonder why?
The Toyota FJ Cruiser, equipped with a 4.0-liter gasoline V6 engine, seems perfect for off-roading. I can imagine this car being used on an expedition to, say, Mount Pinatubo.
The ever-reliable Toyota Innova is perfect for large families. Since the Innova was introduced here in the Philippines in 2005, it has always been at the top of bestseller lists.
The Toyota 86 is quite a looker. It was constantly surrounded by curious visitors while I was there.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is considered a symbol of wealth and power in the Philippines. It is the vehicle of choice of many politicians and businessmen. Our very own President Noynoy Aquino actually uses one.
The latest version of the Toyota RAV4 was introduced to the Philippines earlier this year.
The Toyota Vios consistenly ranks at the top of the bestseller lists in the country and is a popular choice among taxi operators. The all-new Toyota Vios was launched just last month.
The Toyota Prius C is the more affordable variant of the original Prius. This car seems perfect for city driving.
A look inside the Toyota Prius C.
A line-up of Toyota race cars for the racing enthusiasts out there.
This Vios serves as the "centerpiece" of the race car display.
They have Formula One cars too!
The obligatory female-model-in-skimpy-attire-poses-beside-a-car-at-a-car-show shot.
Lexus, the luxury car division of Toyota, is here too. Lexus was officially launched in the Philippines in 2009.
The Lexus IS350 F-Sport was introduced to the market back in June.
Two of the three Lexus SUVs available in the Philippines--the GX460 and the LX570.
The LS460 is used as the official state car of different heads of state in various countries abroad (in our case, the "official state car" is the Toyota Land Cruiser since it is what our president uses).
The CT200h was Lexus Manila's first hybrid car, introduced to the Philippine market in 2011.
The RX350 also has a hybrid twin, the RX Hybrid.
The mean-looking Lexus LFA. According to C! Magazine, one of these will cost you a staggering--hold your breath--P34 million pesos. That's enough to buy you a large house at a high-end subdivision here in Metro Manila.
A closer look at the Lexus supercar.
The Lexus LF-LC (which stands for Lexus Future-Luxury Coupe) has been approved for production. Don't expect to see it in being sold in Lexus showrooms for maybe another 4-5 years, though.
The kids and the kids-at-heart will definitely enjoy these Toyota and Lexus Tomica toy cars on display. I really enjoyed collecting Tomica cars when I was a kid!
This looks fun.
You can also learn more about Toyota Motors' history in the Philippines.
Their new website looks really great!
They have everything here--it's a one-stop shop!
The Toyota Century is considered to be more luxurious than the Lexus brand. A special version is currently being used by the Japanese royal family.
The Toyota Sports 800 made its debut at the 1962 Tokyo Motor Show and is Toyota's first production sports car.
The 2000GT is Toyota's first supercar. The 2000GT made an appearance in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice.
The evolution of the Toyota Land Cruiser.
A 1970 Toyota Corona.
Check this out--a 1978 Toyota Celica.
A 1968 first-generation Toyota Corolla. The Corolla has been one of the world's bestselling cars since 1974 and continues to be so today.
A modified 1986 Toyota Corolla.
More classic Toyota cars--and there's a whole lot more! I don't really want to show you guys everything--that'll just spoil the fun.
If you want to see all these amazing cars yourself, you still have plenty of time--the World of Toyota Motor Show is still happening at the World Trade Center in Pasay City until this Sunday, the 18th of August. Admission is at P25.
For all things Toyota, please do visit the revamped Toyota Motors Philippines website: http://www.toyota.com.ph.
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