Brian Buendia is new Kia PH Chief Ops Officer

Kia PH president Aligada to retire this June

Change is coming on a top-level position over at Kia Philippines.

Starting July 1, 2023, Kia Philippines Motor Corporation (KPMC) will be headed by Brian Buendia, their new Chief Operating Officer. Buendia will be taking over the helm from Kia PH president Manny Aligada who is set to officially retire this June.

Buendia has been with AC Motors since 1998, earning an extensive career experience in sales, business development, and network operations. This has also made him more than capable of anticipating and carrying out crucial brand and market executions for Kia in the future.

“As Chief Operating Officer, Brian will lead the bolstering of Kia’s position in the industry rankings with the introduction of new models, and the strengthening of the distribution network in its dealerships which currently stands at 44 in strategic locations nationwide,” said AC Motors President for Automobile Group Toti Zara.

Buendia will likewise lead KPMC’s continued development of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country, with Ayala organizations and other players as active partners. He will pursue what has been launched by Kia and the Ayala Group in transitioning the automotive industry into cleaner and more sustainable technologies.

“The challenges facing Kia in the Philippines are daunting. But, they are also opportunities that will inspire us to elevate this world-class brand to even greater heights in the local market. We will be stepping up our efforts to become an even more relevant player in the industry through innovation and technology in our products and services, contributing to the development of the economy while playing a significant role in sustainability efforts,” said Brian Buendia.