At just 32 years-old, Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala is already shaking up the automotive industry. The son of Jaime Augusto was recently named president and CEO of AC Motors, the automotive arm of Ayala Corp. that distributes auto brands like BYD, Kia, VW, Honda, Isuzu, Maxus, and motorcycle brands KTM and Husqvarna.
Alfonso’s arrival is timely as the auto industry is on the cusp of electrification, with hybrid and fully electric vehicles beginning to gain popularity among buyers. With AC Motors’ latest brand acquisition, leading Chinese EV manfucturer, BYD, the group hopes to make a compelling case to consumers for making the shift. BYD currently offers three EVs but hopes to expand this lineup soon. Kia’s EV offerings, which is currently just the EV6, is hoped to be expanded as well. AC Motors will soon add an electric motorcycle brand, Hero, to its portfolio.
Ayala is uniquely positioned to greatly influence the emerging EV market as its subsidiary companies are involved in renewable power generation, property development and management, manufacturing, financing and insurance, and digital connectivity—all of which are critical components of the EV ecosystem.
With this bold shift towards electrified vehicles and infrastructure, Ayala may just help manifest the 10 percent of the domestic industry’s local sales EV’s are expected to gain in the five to six years.