Get this, there were actually TWO international motorshows happening simultaneously in Indonesia recently, and thanks to Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB), AF was there to witness the global debut of the Honda BR-V, and to cover the event, but while we were livin’ it large at the GIIAS, the IIMS was happening on the opposite side of town…
Let’s not beat around the bush, as I’ve said countless times from my past coverage of international motorshows, NO ONE wants to read about a motorshow, but before you scroll through the photo gallery below, I have to get something off my chest…oh yeah by the way, AF is also currently in Adelaide, Australia testing that stunning new Ford Focus above, so tune in again the near future for that review!
I’ll be honest with you, I wasn’t expecting much from GIIAS 2015, seeing as how it was the very first time this show was being organised by the ‘new’ group. Details are sketchy at best as to why there were TWO international motorshows happening at the same time, but apparently there was a ‘falling-out’ of sorts among two of the regular organisers of the main show, and thus both decided to go their own way, or so it seems.
That being said, I have to say that GIIAS – despite being the first one – was considerably better than anything our own KLIMS has ever had to offer. And it could possibly boil down to something as simple as its venue. No, really.
First-off, GIIAS was ‘housed’ in one massive area, reminiscent of the IMPACT Challenger that hosts the Bangkok International Motorshow (BIMS), which AF also attended this year. If anything, GIIAS and BIMS are clones in the way the various carmakers’ stands are set-up and displayed. The main area is a huge pillar-less hall, and subsections or annexe blocks as well as the peripheral area house the ‘add-ons’ such as accessories, merchandise, trucks, etc. For example, BMW, Mini & Motorrad had so many vehicles to show that they decided to take one entire annexe block for themselves. Parking to get to the GIIAS is also very well thought out, with more than enough space for cars, bikes and even tour busses. And the whole venue is outside of town, exactly the same as BIMS.
KLIMS on the other hand, for some unfathomable reason, is held at PWTC, smack-dab in the heart of town, but what’s worse, the halls – if you can even call them that – are sorely inadequate to house a motorshow; there’s always a pillar in the way, and the area is just too cramped. And nowhere else in the world have I ever had to cross a damn river to get to the next hall, except at KLIMS.
In short, the organisers of KLIMS really need to go have a look at GIIAS – or even the IIMS – to have a proper understanding of how a motorshow should be. It’s really embarrassing that a first-timer could trounce our efforts, but that’s exactly what they did, and resoundingly too I might add. Now, on to the GIIAS 2015! Enjoy the gallery, and don’t forget to check out the Old Skool Classic cars that were on display too! – Chris Wee.
CW’s GIIAS Top Picks…
1) Cutest Car of the Show – Daihatsu Copen. I mean seriously, just look at it! Perodua, how about just going a bit nuts and rebadging this as a Perodua Joy or something, please?
2) Most visually-stunning Car of the Show – Lexus LF-SA. This thing stopped me dead in my tracks. I think I was dumbstruck for at least a minute…
3) The ‘Welcome Back’ Award – Datsun. Yes, Datsun! They were at GIIAS, and that’s because they’re for sale in Indonesia, and selling quite well it seems…
4) See you soon with a Proton badge – Suzuki Ertiga.
5) …But I’d rather see you with a Proton badge – Mitsubishi Delica.
6) Favourite Stand – Porsche. If only because they also displayed this mint condition classic 356!
GIIAS 2015 Full Photo Gallery….
