You could say Maricar Parco is one of my longest-known friends in the car industry. I met her when I joined the motoring beat in 1995, back when she was a young public relations executive at Honda Cars Philippines. I followed her career when she moved to Ford Philippines in 1998, during which she even helped me organize my “unforgettable” wedding—a month before hers (and at the same venue).

She next dabbled in a BMW dealership, before hooking up with the German car brand’s authorized distributor (Asian Carmakers Corporation). She eventually became the firm’s president until the time the marque was picked up by San Miguel Corporation.

In 2022, she handled Peugeot for Astara Philippines. And in 2023, she was poached by Inchcape Philippines, where she was head of Changan, a Chinese automaker.

To say she is a global car industry executive—having worked with the Japanese, the Americans, the Germans, the French, and the Chinese—is to state the obvious. And now, to start 2025, she is moving to a luxury brand in the Inchcape stable.

Parco, from January 1, is now general manager for Mercedes-Benz in the Philippine market. As far as I know, she is the first industry executive to have been appointed as head of two competing German luxury car brands in our country. Having spent time with a Chinese brand that had big plans on New Energy Vehicles, it’s safe to postulate that she will spearhead Mercedes-Benz Philippines’ electrified product plans moving forward.

Taking her place as head of Changan Philippines is Redentor “Jun” Cajayon, the brand’s previous sales AVP.

So…my friend’s professional journey continues. I congratulate her, and may she do well with the three-pointed-star brand.