Alvarez welcomes RSA entry ito ACC

MANILA, Philippines -  Palawan Gov. and businessman Jose “Pepito” Alvarez welcomes the entry of tycoon Ramon Ang in his Asian Carmakers Corp., the car company behind the BMW brand in the Philippines.

“Mr. Ang does not need BMW, but BMW needs Mr. Ang and the San Miguel Group for the good networking. I am most happy that both gentlemen considered the investment in a good brand,” Alvarez told The STAR over the weekend, referring to Ang and SMC chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco.

For months, Alvarez and Ang, who are long time friends, have been in talks for a partnership involving the BMW brand in the Philippines, distributed by Alvarez through Asian Carmakers. It is not yet clear what Cojuangco’s participation would be.

Ang said he is set to be a director and shareholder of Asian Carmakers.

“As of now there are no details yet, but I am sure to become a director and sure to become a shareholder. How much, I don’t know yet because I’m still shy to ask,” said Ang, president and chief operating officer of San Miguel Corp., the diversified conglomerate.

Alvarez, now 72 years old, said he is already old which is why he decided to take in a partner in his car company.

Industry sources said the deal is expected to be worth at least P1 billion but neither parties provided deals on the hefty price.

Alvarez is optimistic the business would be in good hands under Ang, given the synergies with the SMC network as well as that of Petron Corp., SMC’s oil refiner.

“I am very thankful for this chance because I am sure the relationship would be beneficial to us in BMW Philippines,” Alvarez said.

Ang, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the Far Eastern University, knows cars like the back of his hand. As a young man, he is known to have extensive knowledge of cars and has been tinkering with car engines early on. Back in the late ’70s, he was also known to be importing high-end cars and made money through buy and sell of cars.

It was his passion for cars that led him to Cojuangco whom he met through Cojuangco’s eldest son Mark. Both the elder Cojuangco and Ang share a common love for restoring vintage cars and collecting luxury vehicles. Ang also tinkered with Cojuangco’s vehicles and it’s no secret that he became ECJ’s — as Danding is commonly known — best auto mechanic.

Ang is known to have a collection of BMWs aside from other vehicles.

Alvarez, at present, divides his time between his gubernatorial duties in Palawan and his business. He is also the chairman of Columbian Autocar Corp., the assembler and distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines.

In 2009, he obtained control of BMW Philippines from the BMW Group of Germany. Prior to that, BMW Philippines was owned 70 percent by the BMW Group of Germany and 30 percent by Asian Carmakers. In all, Alvarez and BMW have been partners in the Philippines for 24 years.

The Alvarez Group is considered one of the strongest players when it comes to the luxury vehicles industry, and was tagged responsible for making BMW the leading premium automobile brand in the Philippines, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI).

The company has the widest dealership network in the luxury vehicle segment – with eight dealers working closely under the ACC helm. These dealers are: Autoallee BMW in Eton Centris (EDSA), Autohaus BMW in Quezon City, Autozentrum BMW in Alabang, Prestige Cars in Makati, Premier Cars BMW in Pampanga, Autobahn BMW in Bacolod, Autowelt BMW in Cebu, and Premium Motoren BMW in Cagayan de Oro.