LADY AT THE TOP

United Asia Automotive Group Inc. has tapped the best man for its marketing head.

It happened to be a woman. And well-respected, too.

During a press conference held at Café Aurora in Makati City last week, UAAGI chairman Rommel L. Sytin introduced Lyn Manalansang Buena as the corporation's new chief marketing executive.

Joining Sytin in welcoming the new official were Chery Auto Philippines managing director Froilan Dytianquin and Foton Philippine general manager Levy Santos.

Both Chery Auto and Foton are under the UAAGI umbrella.

The former executive vice president and director of marketing communications services of The Covenant Car Company Inc. will handle the marketing operations of Foton, Chery and the upcoming Lynk & Co.

The announcement was a welcome surprise for the motoring media as Buena has been an industry luminary handling several brands under TCCCI.

While preparing for her nursing board exam (yes, she is a nursing course graduate), Buena's temporary posting as front desk officer at Scandinavian Motors Corp. (Volvo Philippines) became permanent.

She soon transferred to customer relations and then to marketing where she would become its vice president in 2001.

Buena would later handle the marketing of Chevrolet (also a brand under TCCCI) in 2009, and the MG brand in 2018. Buena left TCCCI when the company's five-year distributorship contract with MG's parent company, SAIC Motor Corp. (of China), expired in July 2023.