((L-R) City administrator Atty. Atlee Viray, Laus Group chair and CEO Lisset Laus-Velasco, British United Automobiles Inc. president Willy Q. Tee Ten, Laus matriarch Tess, Iconic Automobiles Inc. executive director Dior Laus and board member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab during the opening of Mini Pampanga. Photo by Ning Cordero)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Laus- AutoGroup, newly authorized distributor of MINI cars in the country, opened the iconic British brand showroom Monday at the Levy P. Laus Corporate Center, Laus Group Complex here. Operated by Iconic Automobile Enterprise Inc., the dealership is the first MINI showroom outside Metro Manila and in North Luzon.
Laus Group of Companies (LGC) matriarch Ma. Theresa Laus led the ribbon-cutting with LGC chair and CEO Lisset Laus-Velasco, Iconic Automobiles Inc. executive director Dior Laus, and British United Automobile Inc. (BUAI) president Willy Tee Ten.
Representing Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Mayor Edwin Santiago were 2nd District board member Mylene Pineda-Cayabyab and CSF city administrator Atty. Atlee Viray, respectively.
MINI Pampanga is the 20th automotive and motorcycle brand under the LausAutoGroup offering car dealerships and world-class after sales support.
Tee Ten expressed his excitement for MINI Pampanga for reaching a wider market by extending its service outside Metro Manila also noting that new models will arrive in the next two to three years.
(MINI Pampanga showroom and auto service center. Photo by Joann M. Valenciano)
Tee Ten also said MINI will be launching its eco-friendly electric vehicle in 2020. “The electric MINI will be launched next year while the worldwide launch will be in March,” he said.
“We hope to be able to get the electric MINI maybe on the third quarter next year,” he added.
Velasco said they have been working on bringing the MINI here for a long time as it was the vision of her father, the late Levy P. Laus, “right at this very location.”
“We are optimistic and looking forward to our partnership with BUAI,” she said. “We strongly believe that the iconic MINI, with the availability of parts and services, will be able to cater to the local market with its after sales services now closer to Central and Northern Luzon,” she added.
In celebration of MINI’s 60th anniversary, MINI released 500 units of the MINI Cooper S 60 Years Edition.
All units are finished in British racing green color with bonnet stripes, and brown leather seats with green lining. The Cooper S limited edition and other models are available and on display at MINI Pampanga.
