Astara Philippines, distributor of GAC cars, Peugeot, JAC, and JMC, is undergoing a significant transformation, with new leaders assuming key roles and the company settling into its new headquarters in Makati City. These developments, implemented over the past few weeks, demonstrate how the company is reinforcing its foothold in the Philippine automotive market while aligning with the vision of its Madrid-based parent firm.

The company recently confirmed key organizational changes that took effect on October 1, 2025. Ryan Bermudez, formerly Sales Director of GAC Motor Philippines, has been appointed as Brand Head for GAC Motor. With over two decades of experience in the automotive industry, Bermudez is expected to oversee strategic brand operations and lead growth initiatives for the Chinese automaker under Astara’s distribution. “Ryan's dedication, passion, and proven track record make him the perfect fit for leading the GAC Motor brand to new heights. We are confident that his insights and leadership will drive our brand's evolution in the competitive automotive market,” said Luis Torres, Country Manager of Astara Philippines.

The restructuring also sees Ralph Descallar taking on broader responsibilities beyond his role as Network Development Head. Descallar, who has been instrumental in expanding the reach of Astara’s brands across the Philippines, will now oversee the technical, warranty, service, and sales training departments. Torres described him as crucial in shaping the brand’s ability to meet customer expectations, adding that his expanded role would ensure operational consistency across the company’s dealership network.

Completing the new management trio is industry veteran Dong Magsajo, who now leads Astara Philippines’ Media and Public Relations division. With over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and network development, Magsajo is tasked with enhancing the visibility of Astara’s brands through strategic engagement and public relations. “We are fortunate to have Dong as the new Media & Public Relations Head of our company. His expertise in both internal and external communications will be instrumental in enhancing our brand's visibility and engagement in the market, especially during this dynamic new phase of growth for Astara,” Torres said.

Following the announcement of these leadership changes, Astara Philippines has also relocated to its new corporate headquarters at the Pacific Star Building in Makati City. The move, which coincides with the start of the fourth quarter of 2025, reflects Astara’s global standards for modernity and sustainability while fostering a more collaborative environment for its local team. “After announcing the appointment of three key personnel at the end of September, we made it a point to boost the morale of our entire Philippine team by moving into our new corporate headquarters to start off the fourth quarter of 2025 and end the year strong,” said Torres.

Torres emphasized that the new office space embodies Astara’s vision of human-centered mobility and innovation. “At Astara, we share an open culture that encourages all to innovate, be courageous, be open and to connect on a very human level. We want our employees to come to work energized and eager to contribute to this global, corporate goal. We believe that by providing a modern, sustainable workplace we’re one step closer to making this our reality as an entire team,” he said.

The relocation and management restructuring come at a time of steady growth for Astara Philippines, which currently distributes several major automotive brands. The company has hinted at further developments in its product lineup, particularly in the area of new energy vehicles. “Connection and sustainability are at the center of everything we do. While over the past few years we have introduced several fantastic products from our global partners, the goal is to keep pushing the envelope and to create sustainable mobility solutions through innovation. And this innovation, necessarily, will apply to the products and services that we offer. Over the next several months, we will be engaging our customers on a more personal level, and we will be launching new energy vehicles from our automotive brands. They will be products that are in line with our long-term strategy aimed at fortifying our position as a key player in the local automotive scene,” Torres concluded.

Astara Philippines’ recent changes reflect a broader transformation across its global operations as the company evolves from a traditional automotive distributor into an open mobility organization. With the combination of new leadership, a modern workspace, and forthcoming electrified products, Astara appears poised to reinforce its role as one of the major players shaping the country’s evolving mobility landscape.