When Avescor Motors (AMI) set up shop in the late ’70s, there were only a handful of automotive brands in the Philippines. You had the Japanese stalwarts, a few American brands, and maybe some luxury marques. Nowadays, it seems like a new car brand is being launched every month. But the Japanese brands are still on top, and AMI is still serving its customers after five decades.
The simple fact is, you don’t get to five decades—basically two human generations—without having a winning formula. And for the company started by respected local businessman Vicente Tiu, who is also the chairman of AMI, that formula is to provide quality vehicles and give excellent customer service to Ilonggos.
Being one of the oldest franchise dealers of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, AMI began operations in Iloilo City, registered and incorporated as Asian Vehicle Sales Corporation. As your parents might tell you, the ’70s was a crazy time for our country, and not the most conducive economic environment for doing business, let alone selling a high-cost product like automobiles.
But AMI persevered, guided by its commitment to its customers and its loyalty to Mitsubishi. In the ’90s, it expanded its dealership by acquiring new properties, and this fueled its growth thanks to additional capacity for sales and service. The expansion culminated in the renovation of its dealership in 1998 to its current size. One year later, this same showroom was recognized as the best showroom in the city. Continuous upgrades have been done over the years to follow Mitsubishi’s Visual Identity standards.
Come 2025, AMI has grown beyond Iloilo City. It is now in Roxas City (Avescor Motors Roxas) and Bacolod City (Avescor Motors Bacolod), solidifying the group’s presence in Region VI and providing employment to hundreds of employees and supplier partners.
As a way of expressing its gratitude to customers who have stood by them for literally generations, AMI has planned a series of events this month: a feeding program for indigent families in the dealership’s vicinity, a cleanup drive along the Iloilo River, donations to the Asilo de Molo Home for the Aged, an apprecation ceremony for customers and partners, and many more.
Some dealer groups are bigger, some have bigger brands, but very few can withstand the test of time and provide mobility to Filipinos for 50 years. Avescor Motors has a legacy built on a good partnership with Mitsubishi, unwavering service, and a commitment to its community.
