AC Motors appoints industry veteran as new president
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AC Motors, the automotive subsidiary of AC Industrials, under the Ayala Corporation, announced today some organizational and executive movements. These should help position the company to move past the current pandemic and prime itself for future growth.
AC Motors will organize itself into two distinct businesses, automotive and motorcycle. This will allow the company to capitalize on the unique growth opportunities of each sector.
Effective October 1, Antonio “Toti” Zara III will join AC Motors as President of its automotive business unit, which will house the portfolio of distributorships for the Kia, Volkswagen, and Maxus brands. Also under this will be the dealerships for the Honda, Isuzu, Kia, Volkswagen, and Maxus brands. Concurrently, Mr. Zara will serve as President of the different dealership companies of AC Motors. AC Industrials Chairman and CEO Arthur Tan will continue to serve as Chairman and CEO of the various companies under the AC Motors.
Mr. Arthur R. Tan, Chairman and CEO of AC Industrials
Mr. Tan noted, “Toti brings with him 30 years of experience in the global and local automotive industry covering service, sales, and marketing functions. We welcome his experience and hope he can add fresh and innovative perspectives to help accelerate the strategies we have set forth and started in order to navigate this crisis and take advantage of the long-term trends that continue to drive the industry’s evolution.”
Manny Aligada will continue to serve as President of the Kia Philippines, while Felipe Estrella will likewise continue as President of Automobile Central Enterprise, the distributor company of Volkswagen and Maxus vehicles in the country. Dino Santos, meanwhile, will transition to lead and focus on AC Motors’ motorcycle group as it forges its own path as a major player in the two-wheel space. The motorcycle division currently houses the manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations of the KTM and Husqvarna brands.
AC Motors is one of the Philippines’ largest automotive and motorcycle groups. Held by AC Industrials, Ayala’s industrial technology unit, AC Motors carries six global mobility brands. These are Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, KTM, Kia and Maxus, and covers a nationwide footprint of over 100 owned and managed locations.
