Tan defies odds, brings 25 limited edition Mazda MX-5s to celebrate unit's silver anniversary

MANILA, Philippines – “It’s a long shot.”

This was the response Steven Tan, President and CEO of Berjaya Auto Philippines, received when he asked a high-ranking Mazda official if they could allocate some units of the limited edition of MX-5 to the Philippines.

Tan originally wanted to have only 15 units of MX-5, popularly known as Miata, for the Miata Club of the Philippines (MCP), the luxurious car's fan group that was formed in 1997.

As he took his chance, Tan aimed for something bigger and asked for 25 units, interestingly to match Miata's 25th anniversary. The first model was unveiled in 1989.

In the early part of 2014, Marketing and Sales Chief for South East Asia Yuji Nakamine was in the country for a meeting, and Tan grabbed the opportunity to discuss with him his plans.

“We have this situation where we want to have few Miata (units),” Tan recalled his conversation with Nakamine during the private turnover ceremony held with the MCP members at the Mazda storage depot in Batino, Calamba City last Wednesday.

“It's the 25th anniversary, we want 25,” he continued, despite only having 15 sure takers.

Nakamine responded with uncertainty: “It's a long shot. Let's see what we can do.”

MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition badge, rear view, machine and interiors. AJ BOLANDO

The Japanese official was just being honest as it really was a long shot because Mazda produced only 1,000 units, with Europe taking 700, United States 200, and Japan 50.

With only 50 units left, Australia, Taiwan and South Africa also expressed desire for some units, making the competition tighter for Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles in the country.

But Tan defied the odds and looked for other ways to make the 25-unit allocation possible.

He saw another light during the launch of Mazda 3 in Bangkok where he managed to seat beside Masahiro Moro-san, Mazda's global chief of sales and marketing .

“Help me, we need 25 (MX-5),” Tan courageously told Moro-San, who in response questioned his capability to sell the units.

“Are you sure to yourself you need 25?” the Mazda Global Chief replied to him. “As far as I know you guys haven't sold any at all yet.”

After his conversation with Moro-San, Tan already went all-in with his cards and hoped for the best.

A month later, fortune sided with him as he received an e-mail stating that his request has been approved.

“You want 25, you got 25,” Tan said.

Luckily, the US only went for 100 units, paving the way for Berjaya Auto Philippines to reach its goal.

Berjaya Auto Philippines CEO and President Steven Tan. AJ BOLANDO

Tan then acknowledged the “soul of the brand” -- the members of MCP.

“Without the club this wouldn't happen,” Tan uttered minutes before they handed the 15 units to the club.

The two-seater, manual transmission car -- colored in soul red and featuring a host of special modifications such as Brilliant Black body trims, white leather seats, special Bilstein shock absorbers, 17-inch 10-spoke gunmetal wheels, and a 25th Anniversary Edition badge with the vehicle’s production number mounted on the driver’s side fender -- found its way to the streets of Philippines with the collective effort of Berjaya and MCP.

“It is with great pride that MCP will be part of the festivities commemorating the MX-5’s 25th Year Anniversary,” said MCP President Allan Lavarro, who was the first guy to test-drive the Php1.8 million vehicle.

“Our members are also looking forward to welcoming the MX-5 25th Anniversary Edition as a symbol of this classic’s enduring contribution to spirited driving.”