A COUPLE of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the unveiling of the new Chevrolet Captiva at the headquarters of its holding company, HARI , in Calamba, Laguna.Leading the launch was the formidable Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, known as the 'Iron Lady of the Auto Industry' for her dynamic leadership style, which brought Hyundai to the Philippine market in a head-to-head sales battle with the country's biggest auto brands.
Volvo is another challenge. Although well-regarded in other markets, Volvo has struggled in the Philippines, with strong brand awareness but sluggish sales. Agudo aims to change that — quickly.At the unveiling event, Agudo displayed her trademark confidence, flair and strength. But in a private conversation, she revealed a newfound wisdom, admitting that her hiatus had taught her valuable lessons. She hinted at more surprises to come.It's going to be a tougher battle this time.