Christmas for the local automotive industry comes in April. It's when just about everything that has something to do with cars are out there on display together with the latest trends as well as accessories.

Now known as the Manila International Auto Show, it features all the industry players for multi-day exhibit that draws hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts.

Well, it's the time of year once again.

This year's MIAS, slated 4 to 7 April, is expected to beat the 149,000 visitors who came in last year and marveled at more than 200 car displays.

Easy to say because for the first time since its inception 2006, MIAS will be held at two separate venues — the World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center Manila.

That is a combined floor space of 41,000 square meters. A single ticket worth P150 will take the visitors to both venues linked by shuttle services that are provided throughout the day.

MIAS 2024 will feature vehicles from BAIC, BAW, Bestune, Changan, Chery, Chevrolet, DAF, Dongfeng, Foton, GAC, GWM, Hongqi, Hyundai, Hycan, JAC, Jetour, JMC, Lynk & Co, Kinglong, MG, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Omoda and Jaecoo, Peugeot, Seres, Subaru, Suzuki and Weichai.

With a theme "Bridging the Future," this year's MIAS is co-presented by BPI Auto Loans and Shell, and supported by the Automobile Association Philippines and Petron.

There will be the MIAS-Petron Custom Classic Car Competition which will feature displays of well-restored and highly customized vehicles.

The latest models, launches and test drives are also expected to happen.

From 15 car brands last year, there will be 29 this year most of them coming from China.

Last year, Chinese-made cars dominated the show through sheer number of companies taking part.

Of course, an array of electrified vehicles is also expected to hog the limelight the way it did last year.

Expected to be very busy this year is Astara which distributes Peugeot and GAC. It has recently acquired the rights to distribute the JAC and JMC brands to the country. It is likely to launch the Grand Avenue and Vigus Work pickups during the week.

GAC Motor just might introduce six new cars this year after unveiling the flagship M8 MPV. The M6 Pro is set to follow soon and it might time it for the MIAS to make the launching.

The United Asia Automotive Group Inc. or UAAGI is also said to be preparing an explosive display especially after acquiring BAIC and Lynk & Co.

BAIC has been in the local market for quite a while but under a different flag. It could use this event to re-introduce itself to the Philippines like what UAAGI did for Chery.

UAAGI just might launch here BAIC's BJ60, BJ80 and X55 II which have been certified hits in China.

Geely's high-end brand Lynk & Co will also make its way to the market. After being launched recently, it may deliver two crossover SUVs the 06 and the 01.

As for UAAGI's two established brands, Chery and Foton, they are also likely to hold significant public debuts of their vehicles for this year's MIAS.

Chery may add more electrified variants of its models to its lineup like the Tiggo 7 PRO PHEV. It will go with fully-electric vehicles like the eQ1 and eQ7 that they displayed at last year's EVAP summit.

Foton is keeping its cards close to its chest but we hope to see Mars 7 and Mars 9 pickup trucks to bolster its lineup led by the Thunder.

MG, which is now under SAIC Motor, are likely to display its MG4 EV, MG Marvel R and the new MG One and MG Cyberster.

In the same vein, Changan is also making its first MIAS under its new distributor, Inchcape Philippines.

It already has a diverse lineup of crossovers beginning with the CS35 to the flagship UNI-K, but it's confirmed they are launching a new crossover that may go for less than P1 million.

GWM is tipped to bring in ORA 03 and the Tank 300 to excite car owners and follow up on having multiple dealership launches here in the country.

Omoda and Jaecoo have been teased last year and this might be it for them to debut, particularly the Omoda 5 and the Jaecoo 7.

Could Jetour bring out the PHEV version of the Dashing? Or maybe the T-2 SUV? Talks are rife with such speculations.

Hyundai Motor Philippines should unveil the all-new Santa Fe this year, while Japanese brands Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki and Subaru will be taking part as well. However, some of these big brands just might not have launch this year.

That despite Mitsubishi's all-new Triton, and Nissan's all-new Z. Suzuki has recently launched the five-door Jimny, and it's likely to be out on MIAS for test drives to reach a bigger audience.