The Global Star showroom and service center in Nivel Hills for Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler Group cars is now open.(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Mercedes-Benz ‘flying doctor’ in Cebu on July 27-31
BULLISH about Cebu’s economy, Global Star Motors Corp. has opened full-service dealerships for iconic luxury brands Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram in Cebu.
Global Star was recently appointed by Auto Nation Group (ANG), exclusive distributor of American and German marques, as its first dealer outside Metro Manila. A showroom and service center were opened last Saturday in Nivel Hills.
Atty. Augusto W. Go, Global Star chairman emeritus, said bringing Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler Group to Cebu “is a concrete example of how Cebu has not only become a world-class tourist destination, but also an up-and-coming location of choice for the best, global automobile brands.”
Global Star chairman Francisco L. Benedicto, for his part, said it is “a new opportunity for us to contribute to the economic gains that our country has achieved in the last few years, which has allowed us to be identified as an emerging Asian economy.”
Sales and marketing managers Hans Lienaw for Mercedes-Benz and Ritchell Selma for Chrysler Group said Cebu is ready for these luxury brands.
“People have been waiting for Mercedes-Benz to open in Cebu. Opening (a dealership) in Cebu means importers have great confidence that Cebu is ready for Mercedes-Benz,” Lienaw told the media.
“The market in Cebu is ready for these cars. We are amazed by the people’s response. Cebu ranks number 1 in terms of percentage of meeting sales targets,” Selma added.
Global Star president Edward Vincent G. Onglatco said “Cebu has long had a loyal following” of these brands.
“Beginning today, Cebuanos need not settle. They won’t have to travel to Manila just to bring their dream cars home,” he said.
Onglatco said they plan to open in other parts of the Visayas as well as in Mindanao.
ANG president Felix R. Ang said the opening of the Cebu showroom marks their foray into major regional markets.
Wolfgang Huppenbauer, Daimler Southeast Asia president and chief executive officer, said he was thrilled to see the expansion of ANG’s operations, through the appointment of Global Star as its first dealership outside Metro Manila.
Technical market support specialist Tommy Hart, also known as the “Flying Doctor,” will be at the Global Star showroom starting today until Friday to hold one-on-one consultations with Mercedes-Benz owners.
Hart, who covers Southeast Asia and South Pacific regions, specializes in analysis, diagnosis and problem-solving for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and its associated systems.
Technology experts from Manila are also expected to regularly visit Cebu to supervise all maintenance and repair services, Benedicto said.