Ayala expands automotive portfolio, partners with Kia PH.
By Monsi A. Serrano
Photos From Ariel G. Raule
Known for their highly diversified company, the country’s one of the oldest and largest conglomerates Ayala Corporation sees another great opportunity as they partnered with Kia Philippines adding the 6th brand in their well managed portfolio which they call mobility. Currently, the Ayala conglomerate takes pride of having Honda, Volkswagen, KTM, Maxus, and Isuzu.
In the launching of Soluto held at Shangri-La Makati graced by no less than Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President and Chief Operating Officer of Ayala Corp., the Ayala official proudly shared to guests that their company is happy to be a part of the South Korean carmaker and believed that Kia is a “solid global brand with a wide range of products that have been strongly patronized by Filipinos which has built a foothold in the Philippines and also patronized by the Filipinos.”
He also added, that Kia has “multiple quality and design recognitions” including a runner-up finish last year in overall vehicle quality in the US.
For his part, AC Industrials Chairman Arthur Tan said that Kia Philippines will benefit from the Ayala conglomerate’s many diversified interests and expertise to be part of “disruption and changes anchored on several megatrends: mobility, smart energy and connectivity.” He also brandished in the Ayala Group “they do not only see the future but also takes part of it.”
He also shared the imminent growth that is expected to happen in the mobility space, and disclosed a study that shows that “by 2050, the Philippines will be one of the top 20 economies in the world. You need to have a foothold in the country if you want to develop at the same pace.”
“And Kia “found the right partner with AC Industrials who shares in the vision of being a global partner already anchored in multiple parts of the world”, Tan added.
Meanwhile, Kia Philippine President Emmanuel “Manny” Aligada said during the interview of The Philippine Business and News that this has never been exciting in the automotive industry in the Philippines. With Kia launching three different models new Soluto, Kia Picanto and fortified new Sportage, Grand Carnival, Rio and Sorento.
Soluto, being the highlight of Kia Philippines’ launch, is described as “an array of value-for-money features, is a 1.4-liter dual-CVVT gasoline engine that produces 95ps of power and 132Nm of torque, combined with a spacious interior as well as standard seven-inch touch screen audio which is compatible with either Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and equipped with six-speaker system.”
The Kia Philippines President also disclosed that something new and exciting will take place on April in the annual Manila International Auto Show as Kia Philippines is set to launch another car model.
The Kia Philippines President is no stranger to the culture and business acumen of the Ayala Corporation. He worked as an executive of Globe Telecom for 14 years, before moving to the automotive industry. That is why he did not have any reservation when he was offered to head the Kia Philippines.
The Ayala Corporation is also engaged in real estate, banking, telecommunications, water, power, industrial technologies, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and automotive industry. With this recent partnership Kia Philippines and having 6th global brand of automotive under their care, Ayala Corporation remains to be one the country’s well respected conglomerates as they have been actively supporting various corporate social responsibility programs such that focus on education, youth leadership, sustainable livelihood, and the promotion of arts and culture.