From left: GSMC Chairman Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto; GSMC President Edward G. Onglatco; ANG President Felix R. Ang; Daimler South East Asia President-CEO Wolfgang Huppenbauer; Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama; ANG Chairman Gregorio T. Yu; GSMC Chairman Emeritus Atty. Augusto W. Go; and GSMC Senior Vice-President Kenneth O. Huan gather around the new 2015 Chrysler 300 C at the new dealership in Nivel Hills.(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Home of the stars finally unveiled
Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram—marquee names in the automobile industry that represent the highest standards of sophistication, luxury and excellence—have found a new home in the south after Global Star Motors Corporation (GSMC) launched its flagship hub on top of Nivel Hills in a stunningly grand affair last Saturday.
With the Auto Nation Group (ANG)—the exclusive distributor of classic American and German marques—partnering with GSMC to bring the aforementioned brands here in the Queen City of the South, Cebuanos need not look too far and wide to bring their automobile ambitions to life.
“We’re deeply honored for this opportunity to partner with Auto Nation Group and open our first dealership here in Cebu,” GSMC president Edward Onglatco said during the inauguration.
“We believe Cebu deserves the best which is why we pulled out all the stops to bring these iconic brands to our fellow Cebuanos who have long been waiting for this day.”
It was an evening full of glitter and glam, which was attended by several luminaries from various sectors of the industry.
Comprising the GSMC group are retired Ambassador Francisco Benedicto as the board’s chairman, and his fellow incorporators Kenneth O. Huan as senior vice president, Barbara Gothong-Tan as treasurer and Atty. Augusto Go as chairman emeritus.
Also gracing the event were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.
The state-of-the-art showroom and aftersales facility was built according to Mercedes-Benz and Chrsyler group’s exacting standards and will offer Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler Group’s full vehicle lineup, including its latest models.
The hub also has a service center and a repair shop that are furnished with top-of-the-line equipment, ready to service clients when needed. Top technology experts will also be visiting Cebu to carefully supervise all maintenance and repair services.
Daimler Southeast Asia CEO and president Wolfgang Huppenbauer, upon seeing the refurbished facility, shared his gratitude with the GSMC to their relentless commitment to staying true to the brand’s pursuit of excellence.
“I remember first meeting Edward back in 2013 at an S-Class launch. A few months later, I came back to see this proposed location and I said to him, ‘Edward, the place is nice but we have to tear everything down to adhere to the brand’s promise of only the best.’
We are happy to note that Global Star Motors has translated their passion for the brand into their undeniable enthusiasm to cater to and share the Mercedes-Benz experience to this region, thus the reason why we are all gathered here tonight in this state-of –the-art showroom not just for our potential customers but also for those who have been our clients in this area before this launch,” said Huppenbauer.
Onglatco also shared that it was these brands’ loyal clientele that spurred him and the rest of the group to launch this dealership.
“Beginning today, Cebuanos need not settle. They won’t have to travel to Manila just to bring their dream cars home. Ladies and gentlemen, the timeless marques that you grew up with and would like to pass on to your children now have a home in Cebu.”