As we close the year, we are once again presenting the latest updates for our executive merry-go-round for the second half of 2023. It seems that the carousel is busier these days for some automotive companies. Apart from the usual promotions and transfers, this year’s yearender is a bit of a cliffhanger.
On the leadership posts, Toyota Motor Philippines president Atsuhiro Okamoto, just recently announced that he will be taking on another role within the Toyota organization overseas and would turn in the reins to Masando Hashimoto. Okamoto-san was also chairman of Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines, Inc. and a Director of Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation. He started his career in Toyota Motor Corporation way back 1992. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, he had served various posts within Toyota and Lexus and was department general manager of the Lexus Planning Division in 2012, then VP for marketing and sales of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, and served as EVP since 2019 before he was assigned to the Philippines. Jing Atienza has also been promoted last April from SVP to become Toyota Motor Philippines’ EVP, as well.
Earlier this year, Suzuki Philippines president Koichiro Hirao assumed position on March 21st from his predecessor Akira Utsumi. While Geely Philippine distributor, Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP), just announced the appointment of Naoyuki Takeda as its incoming President and CEO, effective January 1, 2024.
Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, the former president and CEO of Hariphil Asia Resources Inc., the distributor of Hyundai trucks and buses and president of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID), recently confirmed that her team has taken over the business of The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet and KG Mobility in the Philippines.
TCCCI was incorporated on July 1, 2009 and assumed full business operations for Chevrolet on October 1, 2009. TCCCI’s Chairman Emeritus Richard L. Lee and several other family members including executive director Selene Lee Yu and her sister Sherry Yu Gue, serve as the director for finance and accounting. Atty. Arcilla was the only other non-family member who had held the top position besides TCCCI chairman and former Philippine Ambassador to the United States and Central Bank Governor Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Atty. Arcilla has been with the Lee family since 1994 starting with Volvo Philippines.
Agudo, on the other hand, has led HARI to the number three spot for several years, from 2012 to 2014, and again from 2016 to 2018, just right behind the consistent top two brands Toyota and Mitsubishi. Prior to taking over TCCCI, Agudo was also president and CEO of Changan Motor Philippines until August 2023 when Inchcape Philippines became the Chinese car brand’s new distributor.
Toyota Motor Philippines’ VP for Lexus Brand Department also saw the appointment and promotion of Carlo Ablaza to be the new general manager of Lexus Manila. Ablaza concurrently held the role of chief revenue officer for another Toyota Motor Philippine company, Toyota Mobility Solutions prior to this new appointment. Another Toyota executive, Jade Sison-Mendoza, was promoted to AVP in Toyota’s Marketing Division, Vehicle Sales Operations – Lexus Brand Department. She has been with Toyota Motor Philippines for over 10 years plus two years, working in Toyota Motors Asia Pacific based in Singapore as assistant manager prior to moving back to the Philippines in 2020.
Astara Philippines just announced the appointment of Arlan Reyes as the brand head for JMC and Peugeot in the country. Aside from JMC and Peugeot, the group also recently took over the distribution of GAC Motors and being one of the world’s leading mobility companies, it will not be surprising to see more brands to be represented in the near future. With over 25 years in the industry, Reyes was AVP in Mitsubishi prior to moving to Tata and Dong Feng. Another industry veteran Timmy Naval-de Leon moved from Ayala-owned AC Motors, the distributors for Kia, Volkswagen, BYD and Maxus to Astara to become the company’s marketing director while Franz Decloedt, who also moved from AC Motors to become the brand head of GAC Motors. Aside from GAC, Decloedt oversaw sales and marketing directions until the recent appointment of Reyes as its new brand head. Naval-de Leon, who has over two decades of expertise in marketing and corporate communications, is very well-liked by peers in the motoring media and prior to AC Motors, she served as the head of marketing in Isuzu Philippines.
Foton Philippines also saw a new set of leaders with Levy Santos promoted last January to general manager. Its former company president, Erroll Duenas left Foton PH to be with BYD Philippines to be its after sales and dealer development director. Other promotions in Foton PH include Jude Racadio to sales director and Donabel Santos to AVP sales operations. Foton registered an 18% growth in sales for 2022 and Santos earlier this year said that Foton PH is targeting to sell at least 6,000 units with a 3-fold action plan.
