Lexus Manila names new president

MANILA, Philippines — Lexus Manila has named Carlo Ablaza as its new president.

In a social media post, GT Capital Auto and Mobility Holdings Inc. chairman Vince Socco said Ablaza’s term as president of Lexus Manila took effect on Jan.1.

Ablaza succeeded Raymond Rodriguez who will remain as advisor to the Lexus Manila board.

Prior to being named as president, Ablaza served as Lexus Manila general manager and chief revenue officer at Toyota Mobility Solutions.

He also held various posts at Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP), serving as vice president for the Lexus brand department, assistant vice president for Toyota marketing services department, supervisor of the dealer development department and group head of the sales training department.

Ablaza holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas. 

Lexus is the luxury brand of Toyota.

Latest data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association showed TMP sold 197,756 units in the January to November period last year, 9.6 percent higher than the 180,480 units sold in the same period in 2023.

For the month of November alone, TMP’s sales rose by 5.9 percent to 19,335 units last year from 18,251 units in the same month in 2023.