Ayala cuts ties on Honda dealership after 35 years

Ayala Group is unloading Japanese car brand Honda from its automobile retail portfolio after 35 years.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, Ayala Corp. said its unit ACMobility and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) are transitioning their dealership operations effective January 1, 2026.

The transition involves the turnover of Honda dealerships currently operated by ACMobility, through Iconic Dealership Inc. (IDI), “to new dealer principals who will continue to support Honda’s growth and expansion.”

By the end of the year, Ayala said ACMobility will begin turning over management and operations of Honda Cars Makati, Honda Cars Pasig, Honda Cars Shaw, Honda Cars Bacoor, Honda Cars Cebu, Honda Cars Mandaue, Honda Cars Iloilo, Honda Cars Negros, and Honda Cars Cagayan de Oro to new dealer principals, “the specifics of which will be announced by HCPI.”

The dealership alliance between Ayala and HCPI dates back to 1990 with the opening of Honda Cars Makati. 

Ayala said its network grew steadily nationwide with ACMobility ultimately becoming the largest Honda dealer group in the Philippines. 

The company said ACMobility-operated Honda dealerships have sold over 220,000 vehicles as of August 2025.

However, Ayala said letting go of ACMobility’s dealership of Honda cars “reflects the evolving strategies of both companies, as ACMobility and HCPI pursue their respective growth and innovation strategies.”

The announcement came after Ayala’s announcement of its exits from the Volkswagen and Maxus distribution businesses.

Upon turnover of the dealership operations, Ayala said ACMobility’s portfolio will be composed of the BYD and Kia distribution businesses; dealership operations of Isuzu, BYD, and Kia; electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure business; and the Bosch Car Service business.

The company said Honda customers will experience a seamless transition, with the new dealer principals equally committed to delivering outstanding customer experience.

ACMobility will continue to operate all the dealerships with HCPI above until December 31, 2025.

“We are grateful, and indeed proud, to have been part of Honda’s journey in the Philippines for the past three and a half decades. This transition reflects our ongoing effort to optimize our portfolio and focus on new growth areas. Among these are our initiatives in advancing sustainable mobility and electrification, where we continue to build solutions that benefit communities, businesses, and the environment,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, CEO of ACMobility. —VAL, GMA Integrated News