Core77

Yesterday the city of Manila saw the First Philippine International Motorshow, set up by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI); it is the country's first international auto show. Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, Audi, Volvo, and others displayed 18 new car models and six concept cars.

Coincidentally, a day earlier Philippine President Arroyo decided to destroy five luxury cars (a Lambo, two Porsches, a Bimmer and a Ferrari) that had been smuggled into the country. Worth over US $2 mil, the seized vehicles were originally going to be auctioned off, until the President decided to set an example for would-be smugglers: "To show that we are very serious about [combatting smuggling], destroy these luxury cars on nationwide television," she was quoted as saying. We're thinking some European auto exec who sent his vehicles in for the Motorshow is bound to click the TV on at the wrong time and have a little heart attack.