Ayala's ACMobility announces key executive changes

ACMobility, the mobility solutions arm of the Ayala Group and an emerging leader in the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure industry in the country, announced a series of strategic leadership changes across its business entities.

Effective June 1, 2025, these organizational enhancements are part of the company’s broader transformation to bolster its operational capabilities, improve workflow, and enhance overall business agility.

“As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it is imperative that we equally improve the way we operate as a business and as a trusted provider to our customers,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Chief Executive Officer of ACMobility. “Evolving service means being agile and this transition of leadership is meant to be such. With these shifts, we look forward to providing an improved calibre of service to our customers to continuously meet their changing mobility needs.”

As part of this transition, Antonio “Toti” Zara, who currently sits as Head of Automotive Retail and Distribution, will move into an advisory role. Zara, an automotive veteran, has been instrumental to the growth of ACMobility’s distribution, dealership, and aftermarket businesses.

Under this new function as an advisor, he will continue to support ACMobility’s senior leadership team until his retirement by the end of the year. Consequently, the title and function of Head of Automotive Retail and Distribution will cease to exist.

This leadership shift is positioned to enhance ACMobility’s structure to provide a clearer focus and distinction between its distribution and dealership entities. This is likewise complemented by similar changes across other entities that will better propel ACMobility’s growth across all businesses.

For the Kia distribution business, new appointee Jay Lopez will be joining ACMobility as the new Managing Director of Kia Philippines Motor Corporation (KPMC). Bringing in 28 years of executive experience, Lopez’s proven leadership and cross-industry perspective from pharmaceutical, nutritional, consumer health, to agribusiness industries will play a key role in further scaling the Kia brand.

For the BYD distribution business, Bob Palanca will continue to serve as Managing Director of Mobility Access Philippines Ventures, Inc. (MAPVI), which serves as a distributor of BYD passenger vehicles in the Philippines.

To further enhance the strategic focus between its distribution and dealership operations, ACMobility is also forming a new umbrella arm, the Auto Care and Retail Group. This integrated business unit will consolidate all of ACMobility’s dealership operations under Iconic Dealership, Inc. (IDI) — including BYD, Kia, Isuzu, and Honda — along with its master franchise of Bosch Car Service Philippines. Steve Gingco, who currently serves as the Head of Iconic Dealership, Inc. (IDI)-Honda, will lead this newly established function alongside his current responsibilities.

Supporting Gingco in this transition are several key leadership appointments. His direct reports, who will be in charge of the separate dealership businesses, now include Eric Wambangco, who has been named IDI-Isuzu Brand Head. With 23 years of experience with the Isuzu brand, Wambangco brings deep expertise to his new role overseeing the operations of ACMobility’s Isuzu dealerships. Dennis Salvador, who previously oversaw ACMobility’s dealership portfolio under IDI, will now focus specifically on BYD as IDI-BYD Brand Head.

Brian Buendia, who has successfully led ACMobility’s Kia distribution business as its Chief Operating Officer, will step into a more specialized position as IDI-Kia Brand Head. Ron Campilan will continue to lead Bosch Car Service Philippines as General Manager.

“As we pursue our mission to become the country’s leading end-to-end mobility solutions provider, these leadership appointments underscore our strong commitment to building a future-ready organization,” said Zobel de Ayala. “With their deep expertise and forward-looking mindset, I am confident that our new leaders will help drive clarity, momentum, and innovation across the business. I am excited about what they will bring to the table as we move into this exciting new chapter together.”

Throughout the transition, ACMobility affirms that all ongoing operations will continue without disruption and that existing legal agreements and contractual obligations across its various business entities will remain fully in effect.