By Grace C. Diez
There’s more to CATS Motors Inc. chairman
Felix Ang than his wheels of glory.
“Whenever people approach me, cars would be one of the first things they talk to me about because I grew up with them. I started out in the car accessories business so even during those days, people would always ask what’s new or anything about wheels, sound systems, until it evolved into cars and they still ask me what’s new. That always starts and keeps the conversations rolling,†Felix narrates.
His leadership at CATS (Cars, Accessories, Tires and Services) Motors, Inc., a company that provides world-class and luxury automobile ownership experience in the Philippines carrying prestigious brand names such as Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, has undoubtedly marked him as an engine of the auto industry.
The CATS evolution
Like its feline counterpart, CATS Motors, Inc. thrived on curiosity and intelligence during its beginnings. Coupled with the humble boss’ hard work, passion and vision, CATS Motors expanded from a modest accessory shop on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, to what it is now.
Felix himself is a product of pure persistence, evolving from a 15-year-old employee counting the spare parts of vehicles.
“As a Filipino-Chinese, it is common within the community to look at having our own businesses. I grew up in a very entrepreneurial setting. At 15, I was trained in an auto parts company and that’s where I pursued my career as a businessman. We were trained early by our parents,†Felix explains.
At that young age, he became adept with balancing his time, going to school in the morning and working in the afternoon. Looking back, Felix remains grateful for the opportunities that came his way; but as a parent, he would strongly recommend that his children prioritize education instead of business. “As of now, I would really advise my children to focus on their studies. Education is still important. During my time 40 years ago, opportunities were better than today. I would say finish their studies then plan their careers after. An opportune time will come,†he thoughtfully shares.
After choosing to focus on work full-time, Felix and his elder brother, Tony, eventually decided to establish their own trading company. By this time, after his earlier job, Felix was able to build relationships and had already earned the trust of suppliers. Having known him from previous encounters, the suppliers would give Felix the parts he needed on credit and he would earnestly assure them that he would always pay them back on time.
Shifting from buy-and-sell, the Ang brothers felt confident enough to put up their own auto parts and accessories store at Araneta Avenue. The company experienced encouraging growth until Felix noted the market shift where cars now come with complete accessories.
To keep up with the changes, he established CATS Motors Inc. in 1989.
It was a bold move on his part, but he trusted his own experience and knowledge of the business. His notable background as a dealer of a couple of luxury vehicle brands and a good track record, as well as an impressive business plan, earned him the region’s approval for his company to become the distributor of Mercedes-Benz in 2004 and eventually Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.
Felix thinks it’s his deep passion and interest for cars that started it all. “My passion has always been in (everything) automotive. I started out in the car industry with car spare parts, car accessories to a car itself. There was no stopping it,†he smiles.
Lion’s share
Fast-forward to today. It’s not hard for Felix to find things to be proud about his company.
“This is what I’m most proud of about CATS — it evolved from a modest accessory shop to what it is today. We started 26 years ago and now we represent the most luxurious and the most known brands in the world. It’s something that makes me, my family and my colleagues very proud of what we have,†he declares.
However, this achievement did not tempt them to rest on their laurels. “We have to continue to work hard. There are challenges to overcome every day. There’s no room for complacency. What’s important now is the transition in my business. I think the company is doing great but we have to sustain it,†Felix notes.
The chairman also stresses that it’s important to get the succession going; a process which involves his people, executives and his son Frankie, who’s now with the organization in the finance department. New leaders have also been placed at CATS Motors, Inc. this year, culminating with the appointment of Rene Nuñez as the company president, and with Felix sitting as the company’s chairman of the board.
He attributes much of the success to the people he works with in the company and calls them the drivers of the company’s growth. “It’s the people and the good products we have. The car industry grew by 30 percent this year. With the economic growth that we’ve had for the past six years, about six to seven percent of the robust Gross Domestic Product growth the car industry would enjoy. But you also have to have a good reputation as far as the customer satisfaction is concerned — the after-sales service plays an important role,†Felix explains.
The business of being good
Despite his many successes, Felix never fails to subscribe to the idea of paying it forward. He is a supporter of charitable institutions such as Habitat for Humanity and Gawad Kalinga, but GoNegosyo remains to be a cause closest to his heart.
“I share the advocacy of Joey Concepcion (founder of GoNegosyo) when it comes to entrepreneurship. I myself was an entrepreneur and I think this country needs more entrepreneurs because this spurs the growth of our country and job creation. Entrepreneurs are movers of economy,†he says.
As an expert in the auto industry, Felix also willingly shares his thoughts on the legendary Metro Manila traffic and reveals that he’s also doing his part to find solutions for it. “I think what we need is an efficient traffic system. It may be very expensive to have those subways but there is a way, and we are advocating the use of BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system, wherein the buses are on dedicated lanes with time limits, designated terminals and point-to-point trips. As a company and as a person, we are advocating it. It works very well in other countries like those nations in South America. It just needs political will from the government. We have to clean up the franchises that we give. It could be a PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) project,†he passionately shares, dedicating himself to a project that affects the businesses and the workforce in this nation.
Beyond cars
Admitting that the subject of cars is a topic that men like him are passionate about, Felix is infinitely grateful that he’s been privileged to do what he does. When he’s asked what kind of luxury car would he be, he answers. “Definitely, it’s going to be a Mercedes-Benz. A Mercedes is good-looking, versatile, powerful — the engine, very innovative and very technology-savvy. Mercedez-Benz would almost always win in the Formula One race,†he grins.
“Every morning I read the papers, spend time with my toddler. Nowadays, I try to work only three times a week,†he says, prompting us to ask more about how he rediscovered the joys of fatherhood. He and his wife Grace are blessed with a daughter, now three years old, whom they have named Francesca Grace (“Giaâ€).
“I’m enjoying my family. My wife is very supportive of me. The challenge of being a ‘young’ father to a three-year-old is getting back into matters like PTA (parent-teacher association) meetings among other things. It’s like I’m starting another cycle,†he looks.
The good-natured boss looked back on how he was as a father to three children from an earlier marriage.
“During those days when my older children were growing up, I didn’t have much time. The three of them are now adults. My eldest son is working with me. My other daughter just graduated, the other one is into fashion designing. Now I have more time for my little one, Gia, and I’m enjoying every period. When I was struggling, I didn’t have time. Now I’m really trying to find time, playing with her in the morning. At her age, we are starting to interact and converse,†he says, brightening up on the subject.
His wife, Grace, volunteered details about his new journey as a father. “He’s the spoiler! He’s the one who tells me ‘Don’t let her cry’ so I am the disciplinarian. Good cop, bad cop! He spoils her with toys and also, for example, when she wants to play with the iPad and I tell her no, he’s the one who says ‘Just give it, don’t make her cry,’†Grace laughingly contributes.
Away from his work desk, Felix finds worthwhile pursuits that enable him to live life fully. Asked what he feels was most rewarding about being Felix Ang, he pensively looks back on his humble beginnings. “I think I’m very blessed. Where I came from, from my internship as an auto parts trader to today that I represent prestigious brands like Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Harley Davidson. Sometimes success is about blessings and timing. I don’t think I’m a smart guy but it all fell into place. I guess I was just at the right place at the right time,†he concludes.
Photography by Melo Balingit
Art direction by Ramon Joseph Ruiz
