It was a night of both nostalgia and celebration – of new blood and the continued bright future of the Lexus luxury vehicle brand in the Philippines.
The newly constructed four-story Lexus Manila Gallery BGC was formally inaugurated last week at its new home on the corner of 8th Avenue and Col. Santos Street, just a couple of blocks away from its former home at 8th Ave. and 34th St., which was inaugurated 16 years ago in January 2009 in three glittering evenings of celebration.
The old showroom and service center, after 16 years, had outlived its purpose with the growth and popularity of the luxury car brand.
Future plans for the old showroom are still unclear, but it will likely be redeveloped into an office or residential tower similar to the other developments in that area.
Its former expansive neighbor, which used to house the MC Depot complex, has been torn down and is being redeveloped.
The inauguration of the old Lexus Gallery was attended by the late George S.K. Ty, while his son Alfred Ty (who had by then been designated Lexus Philippines chairman) presided over the opening ceremony.
In an interview back then with The STAR’s Doreen Yu, Alfred had projected a modest sales target for that year of 300 units, even as the global economy was then experiencing a financial crisis.
Fast forward to Nov. 6, 2025, Alfred similarly presided over the formal opening of the new Lexus Manila Gallery, and this time around – his own son Andrei Ty and nephew Andrew “Andy” Ryan Ty (son of Metrobank Chairman Arthur Ty) – were there to witness the event, symbolically a nod to the future of the Ty family and the continued partnership with Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan and the Lexus brand.
Andy is with the marketing division of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), while Andrei has recently joined GT Capital Holdings Inc.
Andrei, whom I met about three years ago and was then still completing his studies and training abroad, is joining the family business, focusing more on the finance area of the Ty family conglomerate.
Lexus Philippines president Masando Hashimoto, in his own address at the event, revealed that in 2009, actual sales of Lexus Manila Gallery totaled only 172 units.
However, as of 2024, Hashimoto said, Lexus Manila had reached sales of 2,463 units, accounting for a Philippine market share for luxury vehicles of 53.5 percent last year.
Similar to the economic headwinds prevailing in 2009, the global economy is once again facing disruptive economic changes stemming from the global tariff shake-up that US President Donald Trump is implementing.
Higher tariffs, of course, will negatively affect export and import of products, particularly of imported vehicles. While TMP assembles the Vios model locally, Lexus vehicles are imported from Japan.
Alfred, however, remains optimistic that Filipinos have embraced the Lexus brand, citing the fact that there are now more than 12,000 Lexus vehicles sold in the entire country.
And indeed, Lexus is now the luxury brand of choice of the elite in the Philippines, easily outselling the German brands that once dominated the market and other European automakers that are still catering to a very small niche market.
Lexus Philippines’ gradual shift to hybrid and electric vehicles has added to the brand’s economic appeal, even as its competitors – including the increasingly aggressive Chinese EV manufacturers, try to grab a slice of the market.
But the young, aggressive and dynamic team of Lexus Manila Gallery, which is now led by Carlo Ablaza, is appealing and catering to an upwardly mobile generation that is seeking a luxury brand that reflects their aspirations for the good life – of bespoke and amazing experiences.
Even the caterer of the Lexus Gallery’s formal opening last week was no less than newly awarded one Michelin Star Chef Chele Gonzalez, who received separate one Michelin stars for his Asador Alfonso in Cavite and Gallery by Chele in BGC.
A Michelin-star chef to feed Lexus’ clientele and admirers, no less.
The elegantly-dressed Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano led the ribbon cutting, along with Alfred Ty, Mr. Hashimoto (who, by the way, wore trendy white Hermès rubber shoes) and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya.
Toyota Motor Philippines directors, Salvador Medialdea and Amando Tetangco Jr. also attended the opening.
The former Duterte era executive secretary has noticeably slimmed down after undergoing a recent surgical treatment. The procedure was clearly successful as he was all smiles that night.
Tetangco, who is also the chairman of SM Investments Corp., however, was busy checking out the new Lexus models on display, hoping to find a suitable model that his beautiful wife, Elma, can easily drive.
The new Lexus Manila Gallery showroom continues to embody the Japanese omotenashi, which is the art of exceptional hospitality, providing its discerning clientele with impeccable customer care and service, and exceptionally good coffee while they browse around the new showroom, complete a new vehicle purchase or have their vehicle serviced at the new four-story building with a roof deck.
More often than not, Lexus owners have their drivers to rely on to have their vehicles serviced. But on those occasions when a Lexus client prefers to bring in his vehicle for a quick service, the new showroom now provides massage chairs where preferred clients can have a relaxing massage and, perhaps, a snooze.
Another option for the more active client is practicing on a golf driving simulator. Hopefully, the Lexus owner is also a keen golfer.
But for the driven executive who always wants to maximize his service visit, there are also VIP rooms where they can privately conduct actual or virtual meetings.
Now, who does not dream of being a Lexus owner?