For the long haul
Behind Pasajero Motors Corp. (Pamocor) Group of Companies president and chief executive officer (CE0) Franklyn Ong’s success in the automotive industry is the blend of passion and dedication. Aiming for continuous improvement, Franklyn is a visionary who values excellence in everything. Prior to the achievements of Pasajero Motors Corp., he started out as a student of Business Administration from the University of San Carlos with a passion for cars.
“While I was 18 and still in school, a couple of friends and I started an auto repair shop in downtown Colon, Mabini. We were the pioneers in the local assembly of Asian Utility Vehicles ( AUVs) using a combination of reconditioned Japan surplus engines, under chassis and brand new parts,” he said.
From being an auto repair shop and used car trader in 1984, the company assembled the first Cebu- made Jeepney called Pasajero: Ang Jeepney ng Bayan in 1991 using its craftsmanship and technical innovations. Pasajero Jeepney received awards from the government and prestigious transport organizations: Most Innovative Design ( 1991), Motorshow Most Favorite Jeepney and Official Jeepney of Miss Cebu Tourism ( 1991 and 1992).
“In 1995, we were the only Cebu-based company that assembled brand new Asian Utility Vehicles ‘Supercab’ outside Manila under BOI (Board of Investments), Commercial Vehicle Development Program,” he said. Through the years, Pamocor has been acknowledged as a leader in used and factory-reconditioned mini-cabs, AUVs, trucks and heavy equipment.
In 2001, the company acquired the dealership of Hino trucks and buses, then Volvo in 2004, Chevrolet in 2012 and Tata Motors in 2015. Just this year, the company opened another Chevrolet Service Center in Cebu City located along North Reclamation Area (NRA) and Chevrolet Dumaguete in Boloc-boloc, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Passionate to his vision, compassionate to his people— these are some of the ways to describe the president and CEO of Pamocor, who said that he gets his inspiration from his employees.
“It makes me happy every time I see their lives getting better,” Franklyn said.
“In the last 25 years, Pamocor has aimed to be better and bigger,” said the company’s CEO, who plans to diversify and include more products and services to strengthen the business in the hopes of expanding further in the Visayas and Mindanao.
“If you cannot think fast, think big,” he said, as one of the trade secrets to success.
“Always aim to be better than before, better than others, better than expected and better than best.”