With Fierce Determination And An Eye For Excellence, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. President And CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo Has Helped Bring The Automaker Out Of Obscurity In The Philippines.
When you’re the head of the distributorship of a top global car brand, picking your favourite vehicle isn’t always easy. “It’s like asking who’s my favourite daughter or who’s my favourite employee,” says Maria Fe Perez-Agudo (Fe), President and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI). Fe has, of course, driven all of Hyundai’s vehicles and has a different one for each day of the week. “On Monday, I might use the Starex, then on Tuesday I’ll try the Santa Fe and on Wednesday I could go for my Tucson,” she says. “All these Hyundai vehicles must be ready – the driver doesn’t know which one I will choose for which day.”
While Hyundai is now among the leading brands on Philippine roads, this wasn’t the case when Fe joined the company in 2001. “It was an unknown brand back then,” Fe says. It couldn’t have been a more challenging time for her to take up a position at HARI. Not only was Hyundai – a South Korean brand – non-existent in the Philippines but two months after Fe signed on, the September 11 attack happened in New York City. “I woke up and everything was frozen,” Fe says. “The business mood was so down.”
This story is from the May 2019 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2019 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.
Maverick Unicorn
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.
''Increase The Velocity''
Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.
Device Manager
Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.
Going Antiviral
Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.
Risk Vs Return
Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?
Expect The Unexpected
For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.
The Ultimate Investments
With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?
The Future Of Fintech
Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.
