manilatimes1d ago
FOTON was among the first brands that United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI) brought to the Philippines. Two decades later, the company has grown into an automotive powerhouse that now carries five other brands — Baic, Chery, Jetour, Lynk & Co, and Radar — each catering to different segments of the local motoring market.In a bid to strengthen its after-sales services, UAAGI officially inaugurated the UAAGI Center for Technical Excellence on Jan. 26, 2026. The state-of-the-art training facility underscores the company’s commitment to improving after-sales service by investing in personnel development and service quality.Located along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) West Service Road in Valenzuela, the 1,200-square-meter training hub can train up to 120 personnel simultaneously. Training courses will cover powertrain systems, advanced electronics, and chassis and brake systems.To further strengthen UAAGI’s after-sales capabilities for vehicles with electrified powertrains, the center is also equipped to conduct lessons on advanced hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) systems.Beyond mechanical proficiency, the facility will also host comprehensive product knowledge training and implement a rigorous certification process for technicians, service advisers, and parts consultants before their assignment to UAAGI dealerships nationwide.Guests were also given the opportunity to tour the training center during the inauguration. Among the highlights were classrooms equipped for both theoretical instruction and hands-on training.Trainees will also be immersed in actual major automotive components — including full engine assemblies, transmission systems, and other key parts — to deepen understanding through practical exposure. Various internal combustion engines and transmission systems used across UAAGI’s brands were on standby for training sessions.“This facility represents a paradigm shift in our service philosophy, moving beyond traditional training to a holistic development model. By unifying technical mastery, parts expertise, and premium customer handling, we are cultivating a more sophisticated workforce capable of anticipating the evolving needs of our clientele,” said UAAGI Aftersales Vice President Lito Landicho.“This investment in our people ensures that every front-end interaction translates into a seamless, world-class ownership experience that mirrors the quality of the vehicles we distribute,” he added.Beyond serving as a training facility, the compound also houses an 8,700-square-meter warehouse network — with dedicated warehouses for each UAAGI brand — stocking nearly one million spare parts and assemblies. From Foton truck bulkheads down to bolts for Chery crossovers, the facility aims to support the broad after-sales needs of UAAGI customers.Together with its distribution hub in Clark, Pampanga, UAAGI said it maintains a 94-percent average fill rate, translating to an industry-leading turnaround time of 24-hour spare parts availability for Metro Manila dealerships, and just three days for Visayas and Mindanao.For specialized, non-stocked components, the company put in place a 25-day lead time, giving owners added confidence that aftersales support remains efficient and dependable.As more Chinese automotive manufacturers enter the Philippine market, UAAGI continues to highlight its experience as an early player in the segment, putting focus on aftersales reliability through investment in workforce training and parts availability.
