If you're one of the many visitors who visited last weekend's 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), pat yourselves on the back. This comes after the organizers of the annual auto show broke a new record by welcoming over 162,000 visitors combined in both the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and the SMX Convention Center.

That's right, more than 160,000 guests visited this year's MIAS which is an achievement in itself. This year's event also marks the first time MIAS is held in two locations as well as the participation of 30 brands. This year's record broke the 2023 visitor count which saw 149,000 visitors flocking to WTCMM.

Combined with the fact that 30 brands participated in this year's MIAS (16 brands during last year's show), the addition of having SMX as an extended location helped attract more visitors. The organizers even provided a free shuttle service to showgoers to travel between WTCMM & SMX.

The success of this year's show, however, highlighted once more that MIAS needs a bigger venue. With visitors back to pre-pandemic levels, we won't be surprised if next year's show will attract even more guests and auto brands. While having SMX as an extra location did allow the organizers to expand the show floor of MIAS, it would be better if there was a larger venue to house everyone and everything.

With this year's Manila International Auto Show coming to a close, we're certainly curious as to what next year's show will have in store.