The exclusive franchise dealer of Isuzu Philippines Corporation in Davao has come a long way since it was established as Southern Motors, Inc. (SMI) in 1949 under the Yutivo and Sons Group of Companies.
Back in the days, SMI managed the network of branches handling distribution, parts and service in Visayas and Mindanao since then.
It sold General Motors Corporation vehicles such as Chevrolet, Pontiac, Opel, Holden, Vauxhall and Isuzu including genuine parts and provided full service repair and maintenance shops.
By 1953 the late Frank N. Liu, Sr. patriarch of the present day company joined the Davao office as Branch Manager until 1973 when General Motors decided to take more active control of the business.
In that same year as part of GMs new plan they required that the Yutivo Group divide the network of branches into three independent companies, which became Northern Motors in Luzon, Cebu Southern Motors in Visayas, and Southern Motors of Davao, Inc. in Mindanao.
In July 2, 1973 under the leadership of the late Frank N. Liu, Sr. Southern Motors of Davao, Inc. was incorporated and approved by the Securities Exchange Commission with an all Filipino ownership.
On that day Southern Motors of Davao, Inc. or SMDI as it is also presently known became the exclusive franchised dealer of General Motors Pilipinas (GMP) for Southeastern Mindanao and continued to provide the products and services of GM.
When the American car companies slowly withdrew from the Philippines in the late 80s SMDI became the exclusive authorized dealer of Isuzu Motors Pilipinas Inc. in 1991 and sold all Isuzu brand new vehicles covering the whole of Southeastern Mindanao.
In 1996 Southern Motors of Davao, Inc. became the exclusive franchise dealer of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, distributing brand new Isuzu Vehicles for Southeastern Mindanao also operating a Five Star motor vehicle repair shop duly accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which continues to the present day.
SMDI will continue to take pride in being one of the oldest dealership in the country, and winning various awards as an Isuzu dealer.
To celebrate, SMDI will be throwing in a lot of gifts from July to August 2014 for those who will buy a new car or for those who will have their vehicles serviced. Lucky clients will also get the chance to win these exciting prizes: an Apple iPad, a mobile WiFi device, fuel, and lots of Isuzu premium items.
Deals at zero interest with a BPI Credit Card can also be availed for vehicle servicing.
SMDI has been witness to history in motoring in this side of the country and to car keys passed on from one generation to the other. It will continue to take pride in that.
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