Astara Philippines Announces New Executive Appointments

PHOTO (L-R): Michael John del Pilar, Franz Decloedt and Ryan Bermudez.

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Astara Philippines, exclusive distributor of Peugeot and GAC Motor vehicles in the country, announces three executive leadership appointments: Franz Decloedt as Marketing Director for Astara Philippines handling Peugeot and GAC Motor, Michael John del Pilar as Sales Director for Peugeot Philippines, and Ryan Bermudez as Sales Director for GAC Motor Philippines. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Franz, MJ and Ryan to Astara Philippines as we advance our growth plans in the market. Being seasoned leaders with proven track records in their respective fields, they each bring valuable experience that will help accelerate our momentum for Peugeot and GAC Motor through impactful marketing and sales campaigns,” said Raoul Picello, Managing Director of Astara Philippines. 

Franz Decloedt has more than 20 years of marketing leadership experience. In his new role, Decloedt is responsible for driving strategic marketing direction and brand building efforts for Peugeot and GAC Motor. Prior to joining Astara Philippines, Franz was Marketing Director for various automotive brands and held various leadership roles at several multinational FMCG companies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Engineering. 

Michael John “MJ” del Pilar is the newly-appointed Sales Director for Peugeot. In this role, del Pilar manages sales strategies in partnership with Peugeot’s rapidly expanding network of dealers across the country. He brings close to 25 years of solid experience in sales and marketing gained from his previous roles with several automotive companies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences.  

Ryan Bermudez takes on the role of Sales Director for GAC Motor. A sales leader with extensive experience in the automotive industry, Bermudez is in charge of directing all sales planning and strategies, which is key to the brand growth of GAC Motor in the country. Prior to joining Astara Philippines, Bermudez held positions of increasing responsibility in sales for various automotive brands. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Business Management.

With two global brands under its belt, Astara has established itself as a key player in the local automotive industry. Last year, Peugeot was declared the fastest-growing auto brand for its record-breaking performance that resulted in 285% year-over-year growth in retail sales. The company marked another milestone in January this year with the launch of the Empow and the all-new GS8, which ushered in a new chapter for GAC Motor under Astara in the country.  

Formerly known as Bergé Auto, Astara is one of the biggest automotive distributors in the world, and has carried out a successful path as a leading group in distribution and mobility services in the last 40 years.