Ayala-owned car distributorship units - Kia Philippines and Maxus — have expanded dealerships in anticipation of the recovery of the domestic motor vehicle industry.
The subsidiaries of AC Motors Group said in separate statements said that Kia Philippines expanded with A new dealership in Tagbilaran, Bohol, while Maxus said opened its 8th dealership in Makati.
The new Kia dealership in Tagbilaran is situated in CPG North Avenue, corner Upper Niño Street of the Dao District. The new Kia dealership is designed by Strong Moto Centrum Incorporated to deliver an exceptional customer experience to every guest.
The new facility—headed by President and CEO Dr. Silvestre A. Lumapas Jr. along with Vice President Marilou Du-Lumapas and Managing Director Louise Camille Lumapas—features a six-car showroom to display the latest models from the Korean car manufacturer. It also allotted two service bay areas to provide customers with top-notch services as part of the brand’s Promise to Care.
“From a dealer standpoint, we are not just setting up a dealer for the showroom. We put it up for after-sales too,” said Manny Aligada, President of Kia Philippines. He added that the expansion of their retail footprint is also for the people to have their vehicles maintained by a certified dealer for after-sales.
Kia Bohol is strategically placed in the business hub of the province to serve Boholanos everywhere with a world-class lineup of cars. From sporty sedans to stylish SUVs and even powerful cargo vans, Kia has a vehicle to suit varying lifestyles and transportation needs. Each model is equipped with technologically advanced features that meet and exceed customers’ needs and thus provide them with a top-notch ownership experience.
Currently, there are 41 dealerships strategically located across the country. Kia Philippines plans to continue increasing its market reach in the country in 2021.
“It will not slow down because we are not yet in all the areas we want to be in. It will continue,” said Aligada. The automotive firm plans on opening five more of its doors this year to be able to serve more people in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
“We, together with our business partners, are confident that this move will help strengthen the brand’s presence and show the Filipino people that we are here for them, despite the challenges we are facing today,” he said.
The drive to deliver high-quality vehicles and make them more accessible to Filipinos has helped Kia Philippines grow in 2020. Despite the challenges of operating during the pandemic, Kia Philippines sold over 2,000 units in the previous year and is set on launching two new models this 2021. These accomplishments along with the opening of its newest dealership in Visayas are a reflection of the car brand’s stellar performance.
For its 8th Maxus dealership, the company situated it in Makati. The ceremony was attended by AC Motors Automobile Group President Antonio Zara III, Automobile Central Enterprise Inc. President Felipe Estrella III, Maxus Philippines General Manager Jun Cajayon, and Iconic Dealership Inc Chief Operating Officer Bob Palanca.
The Maxus Makati dealership, located along Osmeña Highway in Magallanes, displays five of Maxus’ vehicles such as the G10 and V80 vans, T60 pick-up, G50 MPV, and the D60 SUV in its showroom. The facility also allows soon-to-open workshop that can accommodate multiple vehicles at a time which will prove to be a more convenient alternative for its customers who are within the area.
With its opening, Maxus Makati joins Maxus dealerships strategically located nationwide, in Mandaluyong City, Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, Taguig South in Taguig City, and in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Cagayan De Oro. Indeed, Maxus makes its British-bred vehicles widely accessible to more Filipino motorists who are in need of one which can carry the loads of both their home and business needs.
The new dealership opening also signifies Maxus Philippines’ continuing commitment to expand its business and services across the country, as it disclosed that more showrooms are slated to open this year–Maxus Alabang will be operational this July and Maxus Davao this September. With a Maxus dealership situated at the heart of the Philippines’ financial and business capital, the Ayala-backed company sends a message that, as the country bounces back from the pandemic, the Maxus brand will continue to rise to new heights.
Cajayon stressed the importance of expanding Maxus in the Philippines at this crucial juncture. “Maxus Philippines moves forward with its expansion plans, as this not only expresses our faith that the local economy will recover and pick up where it left off before the pandemic, expansion also strengthens the Maxus brand integrity among Filipino motorists. The more dealerships we have, the more accessible our vehicles and services will be, which would ultimately lead to a stronger and more competitive brand.”
For his part, Palanca looked forward to more robust business for Maxus, now that it has a presence in a premier city. “Makati City is the beating heart of the country’s financial and business sectors, and this is also where Filipinos from all walks of life converge. Now that a Maxus dealership is in Makati City, we can be sure that Maxus vehicles will be even more within reach of our target clientele. I can already see Maxus Makati making significant contributions to Maxus Philippines’ overall sales.”
Maxus Philippines is the 6th automotive brand partner of AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail group of Ayala Corporation. The Maxus brand, which originated in the United Kingdom, has had a successful 125-year history, becoming one of Europe’s most recognized commercial vehicle brands, and a leader in the design, production and distribution of international commercial vehicles, with distributorships in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Africa.