THE VELOCITY Q&A

AS 2025 WOUND down last year, it seemed that something else was winding down in our uber-competitive auto industry.

- Interview by Kap Maceda Aguila

Third-row space is comparable to segment competitors.

That proved to be the operations of Astara, the Madrid-headquartered “global mobility company” which served as the distributor here of Chinese marques GAC, JAC, and JMC, along with French brand Peugeot.Among the aforementioned brands, GAC (or the Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd.) was doubtless the strongest in terms of sales. So you could understand the ripple of uncertainty and apprehension that coursed through the market — particularly for people who owned or were looking to own a GAC. Industry observers wondered aloud about the fate of the Chinese state-owned brand, which Astara Philippines added to its portfolio in early 2023.

Despite known for being a Fortune Global 500 firm and with international expansion on its plate, GAC apparently didn’t make enough sense for Astara to maintain its Philippine foothold — which it expressly had been proud of as its first market in the region.

Not to worry. GAC itself apparently likes what it sees in our market. The company now takes over as a “direct subsidiary,” a move that, it announced in a press release, “reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in products, distribution networks, customer service, and operational capabilities, and marks an important step in advancing the One GAC strategy in the Philippines.”

GAC Makati's facade now features Aion and Hyptec, reflecting the "One GAC" strategy.