Mercedes-Benz and CATS Motors union tops 20

MANILA, Philippines - In the late ’80s, CATS (Car Accessories, Tires & Servicenter) opened as a boutique shop for car lovers. Conveniently located on EDSA, it was a sort of mecca for aftermarket geeks seeking to, well, bling up their rides.

For Felix Ang, an avid lover of the brand with the three-pointed star, it was an early incarnation of a business that would eventually bring him closer to Mercedes-Benz. Ang later evolved the shop into a “workshop-cum-showroom” for the brand in 1992.

Today, CATS flourishes as the exclusive importer and distributor of the Stuttgart brand—notably registering “record-breaking sales of over a thousand units” from 1995 to 1997. CATS is also the first in Southeast Asia to build a Mercedes-Benz Autohaus Showroom in 2003. Recently, CATS Motors officially unveiled its new showroom and five-storey building over cocktails.

In his speech at the formal launch, CATS chairman Greg Yu stressed that the state-of-the-art facility is consistent with a catchphrase Mercedes-Benz co-founder Gottlieb Daimler once used to refer to the brand: “the best or nothing.”

He recalled: “Back then, this place was an empty lot, and it wasn’t even ours.” Yu credited Felix Ang, now CATS president, for having the vision to purchase it. Now Ang is widely known as the pioneer of what has become EDSA’s “automotive row.”

“CATS has come a long way since,” Yu declared, and narrated how during the pre-CATS era, Ang had a red Mistubishi Lancer “box type” while he drove a 1963 Mercedes 220S.

“That was the last time I had one over him when it comes to cars in general, and Mercedes Benz in particular,” he said with a smile.

For his part, Ang paid tribute the CATS team and the “passio nate” Mercedes-Benz customers, and promised to “continue to give the best Mercedes-Benz experience. This complex is our guarantee to serve you better,” he maintained.

The event was attended by guests led by Former President Joseph Estrada, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, and San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito.

Also unveiled was the latest gem of the Stuttgart brand, the spectacular 7th-generation Mercedes SL roadster. Standing for “super light,” the two letters, says CATS, “have been synonymous with a symbiosis of sportiness, style and comfort—and with groundbreaking innovations.”

One can be tempted to conclude that such grandiose designs indeed mark the culture at CATS Motors as well. Dream it and follow through.

Wolfgang Huppenbauer, Daimler South East Asia president and CEO, shared how Ang had approached him once with a blueprint of what would be the first CATS showroom. It was drawn on the back of a drink coaster, yet it held the promise of what would be a thriving partnership that it is today.