When you mention the name of Lyn Buena, there are countless good memories that visit my mind. There’s the Motown building in Detroit. There’s The Cavern Club in Liverpool. There’s the cooking class in Bangkok. There’s the popular race in Macau. And there’s the birthplace of Louis Chevrolet in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

So, you see, my job as a motoring journalist has always been happy—thanks in big part to industry executives like Lyn who enjoy making me tag along during fun trips around the world.

But there was a time in my career when it seemed as though it was game over for me. Definitely an unhappy period in my life, for sure. You know the story, when I had to leave my former motoring publication in 2016. I mention this not to call attention to myself, but only to fondly recall that an industry friend spent time to help me drown my sorrow away. I remember how Lyn shed tears as she held my hand. I guess that is the best way to console somebody who just lost his job.

Fast-forward to December 2023. I was shocked to learn about a new development at Lyn’s firm, The Covenant Car Company Inc., which was fresh from announcing a new car brand (KG Mobility) to replace MG and complement the long-standing American marque (Chevrolet) in its stable. Without even trying to make sense of the weird turn of events, all I can say is that it was a gloomy day for Lyn because she had to step down from her position as executive vice president.

To say that her world crumbled is to state the obvious. A mother of two who is still very much in her prime, Lyn was also made to suffer the burden of witnessing her entire marketing team lose their jobs. The difference of this adversity from mine seven years prior was that it was not just herself that she had to grieve—she also had to mourn the professional lives of several other people.

But while I felt the full weight of her personal calamity—after all, the tragedy of losing one’s employment ranks high up there with the death of a loved one—there was not a moment when I was worried for Lyn. I had complete faith in her finding another occupation in the car industry. Especially now that new brands are entering our market. I always thought that she would be an asset to any company that she would join.

I just didn’t expect that her comeback would be this soon. In early February, just two months after she had been forced to vacate her position at TCCCI, she was proudly introduced to the media by United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (distributor of Foton and Chery) as the organization’s chief marketing executive.

Best of all, she had her former team in tow. Yes, not only did she secure employment for herself, but she also made sure that her previous colleagues would be hired, too. Because they used to work before as a single unit, the expectation is that they will hit the ground running (much better than starting a crew with new members).

Last week, her rejuvenated team finally and officially confirmed that the new brand that will be handled by UAAGI is Lynk & Co (apparently, Co here means “Connected” and not “Company”). It’s Chinese with a little bit of Swedish by way of part owner Volvo Cars. Oh, by the way, the Chinese parent is Geely. As to why the Philippine distributor is associated with Chery and not Geely, I have no idea.

A fresh start. Every person deserves one. You know how a heartbreaking episode has to take place to pave the way for something better? That’s how I see this tale.

Congratulations, my friend. I’m excited for your new journey. I know a little about new paths in life myself—a new purpose from God. I promise you that this is going to be a trip worth taking.