AC DOES IT

EVS TO BE SHOWCASED AT AC MOTORS CENTRALE, NEW BUSINESSES REVEALED

The atmosphere was electric last June 28 at the formal opening of AC Motors Centrale in Bonifacio Global City. Not just a showcase of AC Motors’ current automotive and motorcycle brands, the venue also reserves space for electric vehicles.

AC Industrials president and CEO Arthur “Art” Tan, in his speech during the inauguration ceremony, said, “AC Industrials is fully committed to support AC Motors as it plays a pivotal role entering the next stage of mobility—electrification. This venue will become a part of our sustainable electric vehicle ecosystem, allowing our customers to comfortably enjoy the EV models which we will soon be introducing.”

AC Motors, considered one of the Philippines’ largest multibrand automotive and motorcycle groups, is a portfolio company of AC Industrials (ACI), Ayala Corp’s holding and investment company for industrial technology, manufacturing, and vehicle distribution and retail interests.

The AC Motors Centrale facility in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig—now open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily—is situated on a 3,000-sqm space at 932 28th street corner 9th Avenue. It showcases AC Motors’ four-wheel marques Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, and Kia and its two motorcycle brands KTM and Husqvarna.

Among AC Motors’ brands, it looks like Kia will do the honors of introducing the group’s latest model to the venue after the official opening. Kia Philippines Motor Corp President Emmanuel “Manny” Aligada said, during the Kia portion of the venue walk-through, “Kia Philippines would soon be ‘unboxing’ a new model to embody Kia’s advances in technology and innovation.”

Tan’s pronouncement was met with enthusiasm by EV proponents. Edmund Araga, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines president, told Inquirer Motoring: “AC Motors Centrale will be making waves in the auto industry by offering a wide array of options of preferred type of vehicles. I will not be surprised if EVs will soon be on display, with centralized charging stations.”

The recently enacted Republic Act No. 11697—otherwise known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA)—provides for a national policy framework to develop the EV industry in the Philippines, and facilitates AC Motors Centrale’s adoption of EV models and charging infrastructure.

Streamlined auction

Aside from officially opening the venue, AC Motors also revealed new businesses.

One of these is its used cars program called AC Motors Trade+, an auction-based service for new buyers and existing owners that streamlines the entire process of selling used cars, offering just a five-day turnaround time from inspection, to auction, and payment. Customers would also be able to trade in vehicles from any brand, not just those sold by AC Motors. AC Motors is the first dealer group in the Philippines to launch such a used car program, which is powered by an online automotive portal with one of the country’s largest digital audiences.

AC Motors Automobile Group President Antonio “Toti” Zara III said: “What sets AC Motors Centrale apart, aside from being able to house all our brands under a single roof, and giving customers the ability to choose the vehicle that best suits their needs from a wide range of models, is that we take this experience to the next level by offering AC Motors’ new used car program, AC Motors Trade+, which opens up a whole new world of enterprise and ownership opportunities for our customers.”

AC Motors has also embraced digitalization, as it claims to be “one of the most digitized dealer networks, offering seamless digital customer journeys with as much as 45% of current sales coursed through its many online portals.” In its press statement, the company revealed that its recently launched online financing application tool and highly digitized processes further enable a transparent and efficient experience for customers.

Guests at the formal opening were given a walk-through of AC Motors Centrale’s facilities, including the showrooms of Isuzu, Honda, Kia, Volkswagen and KTM and Husqvarna.

Isuzu highlighted its Isuzu Truck Rental Program, which includes the numerous business and practical advantages of renting Isuzu’s trucks. This includes the elimination of collateral or mortgage fees and maintenance worries, mitigation of asset risks, and flexible end-of-term options for up to seven years.

Isuzu Philippines Corp President Noboru Murakami delivered his congratulatory and support message to the Ayala group as their dependable partner, including the 12 Isuzu branches in the National Capital Region, Luzon and Visayas.

Honda Cars Philippines President Masahiko Nakamura expressed that the reinvigorated venue showcasing Honda’s world-class vehicles, featuring the elements of its new visual identity and bringing to life Honda’s branding design philosophy, will move visitors to anticipate the joy of experiencing Honda.

At the Kia showroom, Aligada stressed that after over six months since the new Kia Movement was launched locally, half of the dealer network would carry the new identity, continuing the Movement That Inspires ambition by the end of 2022.

Automobile Central Enterprise Inc. (Volkswagen Philippines) President Felipe Estrella spearheaded the brand showcase as he laid out plans to further strengthen Volkswagen’s SUV lineup, as shown by the positive market reception of the T-Cross, and to offer special cashback offers and financing schemes on Volkswagen’s German-designed and engineered vehicles to make them even more accessible to many Filipinos.

KTM’s flagship store features the latest models and a complete aftersales and service experience. Husqvarna also displays models featuring progressive and refined designs with chassis shared with KTM.