Changing of the guard

MANILA, Philippines - If the current changes in the ranks of automobile manufacturers are apt indicators, then it seems that the automotive world has finally embraced the day and age of equal opportunity. During an intimate gathering held last Monday, February 21, at the Manila Polo Club, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC) and Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) chairman Jose Ch. Alvarez introduced the new presidents of both the official distributors of BMW and Kia vehicles in the country – and they are both feisty young ladies who have been working in the automotive industry for quite some time.

Maricar Parco, and automotive industry veteran who has worked for brands like Honda, Ford and of course BMW, takes the helm as president of ACC from Bobby Rosales, himself a respected veteran of the local BMW organization. Parco brings with her expertise in the field of marketing and sales as well as media relations. She has been working in the automotive industry for the past 18 years with her last title being marketing director of ACC.

Meanwhile, Ginia Domingo was assigned to take over Kia’s operations from the indefatigable Felix J. Mabilog, Jr. an acknowledged industry pillar who started as a Volkswagen executive way back in 1969. Domingo started working in the automotive industry in 1989. Her work experience has taken her from Toyota to General Motors to Ford before she found her way to Kia. Prior to her assignment at CAC, she was head of marketing at Ford Group Philippines.

“We at ACC and CAC feel that it is time for new blood to take the helm of our automotive businesses. We are confident that these fine, young women will bring new vigor and vitality to both of the brands we carry. At the end of the day, we want our customers to feel that we have their utmost satisfaction at the top of our list of priorities. Bringing in these two ladies to head our operations ensures that we have a grasp at the young markets that we are looking to cater to. They are the best people to take over from these very accomplished gentlemen,” said Alvarez during the informal gathering.

Rosales and Mabilog will continue working with the Alvarez Group of Companies in different capacities. Parco and Domingo are the latest to join industry stalwarts Elizabeth Lee of Universal Motors Corporation (Nissan) and Fe Perez-Agudo of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (Hyundai) as women at the top of the automotive manufacturers/distributors hierarchy. If their lady predecessors’ performance is any indication of what the buying public can expect, it seems that ACC and CAC have just made the right moves. The women are literally taking over. Whoever said that the automotive business is strictly a man’s world?