TOP Kapampangan businessman and visionary Levy Laus on Wednesday, December 5, was cited as one of the 33 Most Influential People in the Auto Industry by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), thus earning Pampanga another significant accolade.
PDI’s motoring section featured Laus among the ranks of the Philippines’ highly acclaimed automotive industry leaders and top executives including Toyota Motor Philippines’ Alfred Ty, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.’s Fe Perez Agudo, Ayala Corporation’s Fernando Zobel de Ayala, San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang, and many other equally renowned tycoons who continue to redefine the country’s automotive scene.
Laus, which the publication remarked as “among the most prominent names to come from the province of Pampanga,” is the chairman and founder of the Laus Group of Companies (LGC), touted as the country’s largest auto conglomerate.
From humble beginnings, Laus, a former banker, established LGC in 1978, initially as a small allied dealer of automobiles under the name Carworld.
The company was initially headquartered in a modest office in the City of San Fernando, and was run and managed by a small group of five people which included Laus. Through his hard work, foresight and hands-on leadership, he steered the company through tough times and acquired several dealerships to support the business' rapid expansion.
To date, LGC is now one of the nation’s most regarded and fastest-growing multi-brand dealership network, with over 50 dealerships across Metro Manila, Central, and Northern Luzon.
LGC automotive brands include Mitsubishi, Ford, Kia, Chevrolet, BMW, Hyundai, Mazda, Suzuki, Haima, Nissan, Volkswagen, Mini Cooper, Peugeot, Changhe, FUSO Trucks, Hyundai Trucks and Buses, and Carmix — the market's trusted source of quality and affordable pre-owned cars.
Aside from distributing some of the world’s best automotive brands, part of the conglomerate's operations is Corporate Guarantee (CG), a non-life insurance company initiated by Laus in 1997 which offers motor, fire, personal accident, casualty, marine and bonds insurance products.
CG belongs to the top non-life insurance companies in the Philippines and is one of only six non-life insurance companies in the country that are ISO-certified. Meanwhile, its adherence to best practices was recognized by Investment in People with a People Management Excellence Standard Recognition and Certification. CG is the only non-life insurance company in South East Asia to receive the prestigious distinction.
Moreover, other automotive related businesses LGC operates include CFIC (Laus Auto Finance); Huper Optik Philippines which offers advanced nano-ceramic, multilayer window films; Laus Marketing Corporation (LMC) which carries Voltronic motor oil and lubricants; Carworld Caltex; Tire City Goodyear and Tire City Yokohama Pampanga.
Just recently, Laus took another momentous move in advancing LGC’s services to its customers when it opened the Laus Auto Services (LAS), its first ever multi-brand service center located in Clark Freeport Zone.
Dubbed as the first of its kind in the region, the world-class facility offers professional auto services like general jobs, body paint, and collision repair, to name some.
For years to come, LGC vows to remain committed to its core values of customer satisfaction, honesty, integrity, hard work, productivity, efficiency, and social responsibility, as its ever dynamic founder and chief executive steers not only Pampanga but the whole country into a more vibrant and sustainable community.