CONSOLIDATING its brands under one roof, AC Motors, AC Industrials’ (ACI) automotive and motorcycle business, inaugurated last June 28 the AC Motors Centrale facility in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. It is a 3,000 square meter space that houses Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, and Kia and its two motorcycle brands KTM and Husqvarna.
“AC Industrials’ automobile and motorcycle distribution and retail businesses have been an integral part of the Ayala group for the last 30 years, enabling AC Motors to provide mobility solutions for the Filipino people. AC Motors Centrale showcases the combined strengths and synergies of our automobile and motorcycle portfolio and will play a pivotal role as we enter the next stage of mobility, electrification,” ACI President and CEO Arthur “Art” Tan said during the program.
Bob Palanca, Chief Operating Officer of Iconic Dealership Inc., which handles Kia, Volkswagen and Maxus brands and is one in three business units under the AC Motors portfolio, said that the one-stop dealership is a concept that time has come.
“We’ve been simmering with this idea for the longest time. The pandemic created the atmosphere to quickly reconsider and put it into action. Consolidating brands under one roof has great advantages. Having both the four-wheel and the two-wheel brands creates an atmosphere where customers are given more options and there is a complementation of brands on the floor,” Palanca said as he elaborated how he helped develop and lead the concept from drawing board to the actual showroom.
AC Motors Automobile Group President Antonio “Toti” Zara III echoes what Palanca 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,” Zara shared.
AC Motors Trade+ is 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 Centrale houses four of Ayala’s five brands–the fifth, Maxus which is a commercial vehicle brand is not included because there is a Maxus Taguig dealership nearby. It is housed in what is formerly the Honda Global dealership which was expanded to include the KTM and Husqvarna brands.
Does having these brands under one roof create internal brand competition and cannibalization?
“It’s been set up in such a way that the dealership itself actually encourages customers to look around. From our experience, we know that buyers who walk in usually know exactly what vehicle to buy, why they want it, and if they can afford it. AC Motors Centrale offers more for those who still making up their minds about what vehicle to buy. For example, a person might want a compact car for a daily drive and may realize there is more value in getting a motorcycle after seeing and experiencing it. Each brand has its own offer on the floor which again is target market-specific. All of this is advantageous to the customer,” Palanca points out as he also explains the benefits and membership privileges customers get through the AC Motors Fleet program, Ayala Rewards Circle and the Ayala Enterprise Circle for small and medium enterprises and large corporations.
He also shared a little trivia. It is called AC Motors Centrale because on Google Maps, searching for 932 28th Street corner 9th Avenue shows that it is found almost in the center of Bonifacio Global City.
As for the ACI’s upcoming EV projects, which have already been announced to include vehicles from Volkswagen and Kia, Tan said that the one-stop dealership will become the venue for sales, servicing and charging of its soon-to-arrive electrified vehicles.
“AC Motors Centrale 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,” Tan said.
AC Motors is a portfolio company of AC Industrials (ACI), Ayala Corporation’s holding and investment company for industrial technology, manufacturing, and vehicle distribution and retail interests. It also manages one of the most digitized dealer networks, offering seamless digital customer journeys.
As a result, as much as 45% of current sales have been coursed through its many online portals. The recently launched online financing application tool and highly digitized processes further enable a transparent and efficient experience for customers.
AC Motors operates the largest Honda and Isuzu dealership networks in the Philippines, while AC Industrials has nurtured strong partnerships with Honda Motor Company and Isuzu Motors of Japan over the last three decades through joint ventures for their Philippine distribution operations.
At the June 28 inauguration, guests were given a walk-through of AC Motors Centrale’s facilities showcasing the rosters of each brand.
Isuzu Showroom
Isuzu Philippines Corporation 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. Isuzu BGC Gallery Branch Head Eric Wambangco explained the leading truckmaker’s latest business solution, the Isuzu Truck Rental Program, which highlights the numerous business and practical advantages of renting Isuzu’s reliable and cost-efficient 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. He added that special “aTRUCKtive” deals for the N-Series are also available with the Isuzu Truck Fest program, along with the following options: Free body conversion, insurance, shipping or parts coupons, cash discounts, or low downpayment on leasing.
Honda Showroom
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. Honda Cars Makati Inc. (HCMI) Chief Operating Officer Steve Gingco announced the digital innovations designed to improve the efficiency of dealership operations and enhance the customer experience. Gingco also explained that HCMI is the first Honda dealership to employ a video messaging app that enables customers to be updated on the status of their vehicles while being repaired or undergoing preventive maintenance service. In addition, HCMI will pioneer a project wherein a tree would be planted for every Honda car sold. Eventually, this will be implemented in other AC Motors’ automobile brands.
Kia Showroom
Kia Philippines Motor Corporation President Emmanuel “Manny” Aligada revealed that Kia Philippines would soon be “unboxing” a new model to embody Kia’s advances in technology and innovation. And 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. Iconic Dealership Inc. (IDI) Chief Operating Officer Bob Anthony Palanca, for his part, expressed IDI’s commitment to be a leading dealership in the Kia network by way of targeted customer engagement and footprint expansion.
Volkswagen Showroom
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. Palanca, who is also the COO of Ayala-owned Volkswagen dealers, announced the kickoff of a limited-time promo, a special auction program on the Santana compact sedan, in connection with the inauguration.
KTM and Husqvarna Showroom
AC Motors Centrale also houses one of Europe’s top motorcycle brands. Known for their go-anywhere prowess and pure street performance, KTM’s flagship store can be found, featuring the latest models and a complete aftersales and service experience. Husqvarna also shares the floor, with models featuring progressive and refined designs with chassis shared with KTM. KTM BGC is the number one dealer for the Orange brand in the country, with the distributor, Adventure Cycle Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) being the leading exporter and manufacturer of both KTM and Husqvarna in the region.
AC Motors Centrale is now open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Customers can book their appointments with any of the brands through (02) 8558-5888, or by logging on to acmotors.com.ph. The latest updates can be seen at AC Motors Facebook page.
