Changan Philippines now under local Mercedes-Benz distributor Inchcape

Changan Philippines is now under new management.

Inchcape Philippines, which is a joint venture between global automotive distributor Inchcape and the CATS Group of Companies, announced in an Aug. 24, 2023 press statement that it is taking over the Chinese automaker’s local operations effectively immediately.

The company said it was appointed by the Changan International Corporation to handle the brand. 

“We are pleased to join hands with Changan, a leading OEM to distribute their extensive and high-quality vehicle portfolio in the Philippines,” said Inchcape South Asia & Pacific managing director Alex Hammett.

“This is an exciting milestone for us as we see strong growth potential in the Philippines and opportunities for shared success with Changan,” he added. “This is a great example of our strategy in action, accelerating the performance of our mobility company partners, and Inchcape being the automotive distributor of choice.”

From August 2023, Inchcape Philippines will operate the distributorship of over 25 Changan dealerships and sales outlets in the country. 

Inchcape officially entered the Philippine auto market on January 2023 after it bought a 60-percent stake in CATS, which is the official local importer and distributor of Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler and RAM.

Inchcape brings to the table several years of experience in handling multiple brands globally. It operates vehicle distributorships in Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Guam, Macau, New Zealand, Saipan, Singapore and Thailand. 

It also handles brands such as Toyota, Subaru, Suzuki, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Chevrolet, Great Wall Motors, Peugeot Citreon, Harley Davidson, Daimler Trucks and Buses, Hino and other commercial vehicle partners. 

Changing of the guard?

Inchcape Philippines’ statement did not indicate if Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, who has served as Changan Motor Philippines, Inc. president and CEO since the brand launched on November 2020, would stay on board.

Under her tenure, Changan sold 1,787 units locally in 2022. This figure was up 221 percent from the year before.

Perez-Agudo also helms Hariphil Asia Resources Inc., which is the official distributor of Hyundai commercial vehicles in the Philippines. 

The veteran automotive executive had also handled Hyundai Philippines’ automotive operations until Hyundai Motor Company officially took over on July 2022.

More EVs in the pipeline

Inchcape Philippines said its electric vehicle portfolio is likely to increase because of Changan’s continued investment in new-energy vehicle platforms.

Changan International Corporation vice general manager Tom Yin called the partnership with Inchcape a “landmark step” for the Chinese automaker.

“In charting the future of mobility, Changan is focused on a new-energy strategy which counts the completion of three major new special energy platforms and the complete electrification of all products among its goals,” he said.

“Combined with Inchcape’s excellence in market expansion and distribution, it is our shared ambition that more Filipinos enjoy the lasting safety that Changan automobile can provide,” Yin added. 

Will Changan grow more in the Philippines with Inchcape now on board?

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