By Aries B. Espinosa
In a move that signals a dramatic strategic shift, Ayala’s automotive arm, ACMobility, is ending its 35-year dealership operations with Honda Cars Philippines Inc (HCPI) effective Jan. 1, 2026. This isn’t an isolated event, but the latest and most significant step in a clear pattern of divestment, following the group’s recent separation from Volkswagen and Maxus. The question on everyone’s mind is: What’s the game plan?
All signs point to a deliberate move away from legacy brands and a full-throttle acceleration towards an electrified and sustainable future, driven by a need for partners who share its aggressive timeline.
Pace and priority re-alignment
The decision to part ways with established giants like Honda and Volkswagen stems from a fundamental misalignment in the pace and priority of electrification for the local market. The strategy was confirmed by ACMobility’s chief executive officer Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, who, in a statement released by HCPI in its official website, pointed to an “ongoing effort to optimize our portfolio and focus on new growth areas,” specifically highlighting “advancing sustainable mobility and electrification.”
This vision for the future required a re-evaluation of their existing partnerships.
Honda’s hybrid-first approach
For Honda in the Philippines, the focus has been on its excellent e:HEV hybrid technology. This strategy, while a valid form of electrification, is a gradual, transitional step. ACMobility, by fully embracing a pure-electric leader like BYD, is signaling a desire to leapfrog the hybrid stage. It’s a strategic clash between a cautious transition (Honda) and an aggressive market disruption (ACMobility).
VW’s global strength vs. local lag
Globally, Volkswagen is a major EV player with its successful ID family of electric cars. Locally, however, the story was different. Under ACMobility, the Philippine lineup remained focused on traditional combustion engine models. The globally acclaimed ID electric models were not introduced. For a group aiming to be synonymous with EVs, this gap between global potential and local reality was a significant strategic hurdle.
A new strategy’s 3 pillars
With this deliberate pivot, ACMobility’s automotive future now rests on three distinct pillars: Kia, Isuzu, and BYD. Each plays a unique role in this new, fast-paced vision.
BYD: Centerpiece of electric dreams
BYD is a global EV giant, and by making it a core brand, ACMobility is positioning itself as a leader in the Philippines’ transition to pure electric mobility, a snug fit with its new, aggressive timeline.
Kia’s EV6 and EV9 as the ‘bridge’
Kia offers the model transition. While still selling popular ICE models, its aggressive push with acclaimed BEVs like the EV6 and EV9 provides a crucial bridge for the market. Kia has been actively and visibly executing its electric strategy in the Philippines lately.
Isuzu as the ‘breadwinner’
Isuzu, which has been at the top of its game as the leader in diesel commercial vehicles for over two decades in the country, is the strategic financial anchor. Isuzu provides the stable revenue needed to fund the capital-intensive rollout of an EV ecosystem for BYD and Kia. It secures the present while ACMobility builds the future.
In essence, ACMobility is transforming from a traditional, multi-brand car dealership group into a more focused, forward-looking mobility solutions provider. By letting go of a successful past, it is making a bold and decisive bet that the future of mobility in the Philippines is electric, and that future needs to happen now.
Banner image shows ACMobility chief executive officer Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala approaching sustainable mobility at a national level in a ‘NEV’ light