FORD Philippines has officially opened the doors of its newly built Ford Learning Center in Calamba, Laguna, a facility that now serves as the central hub for technical and non-technical training of dealer personnel nationwide. The move underscores Ford’s intent to strengthen its dealer network and elevate the customer ownership experience in the country.
The Learning Center spans 1,500 square meters and houses seven mechanical bays-including one dedicated to electric vehicles-four classrooms, a Ford showroom, meeting rooms, office spaces, and a cafeteria. It replaces the brand’s former 110-square-meter training area at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati, marking a significant expansion in both scale and capability. With state-of-the-art tools, equipment, and globally aligned processes, the facility is designed to deliver a higher level of training that ensures every customer interaction is seamless, professional, and reassuring.
‘The opening of the Learning Center is not just about opening a new building; it is about building the future of Ford in the Philippines. It represents our strong commitment to this market-to our customers, our partners, and our people,’ said Ford Philippines managing director Pedro Simoes. ‘At Ford, we believe that great vehicles are only part of the ownership journey. What truly makes the difference is the experience-how we support, serve, and care for our customers every day.’
Workshop and hands-on training
THE mechanical bay is a 451-square-meter workshop area that enables multiple simultaneous training sessions. It provides real-world learning for technicians and non-technicians, mirroring the environment of a Ford dealership. The bays are equipped with two-post and four-post lifts, allowing comprehensive training across both internal combustion and electric vehicles.
This setup ensures that participants gain practical experience in diagnostics, repairs, and certifications, preparing them to handle the full spectrum of Ford’s product lineup.
Showroom and classrooms
THE Learning Center also features a 195-square-meter reception and showroom space, capable of accommodating a Ford vehicle display. This allows immersive product training and walkarounds for dealer sales personnel and service advisors.
Four modern classrooms, with flexible configurations, can host more than 100 participants per session. These spaces are designed to support lectures, workshops, and interactive learning modules, ensuring that both technical and customer-facing teams receive comprehensive training.
Support facilities
ASIDE from the workshop and classrooms, the Learning Center includes meeting rooms that can accommodate small groups of two to seven participants. These spaces are intended for coaching, assessments, and focused discussions.
A 72-seat cafeteria provides a central hub for interaction and knowledge sharing, while a 24-seat extension office supports employees working within the facility. Together, these amenities create an environment conducive to both formal training and informal collaboration.
Strengthening after-sales service
THE Learning Center is part of Ford’s broader commitment to modernize its after-sales operations. This follows the opening of the Ford Parts Distribution Center in Laguna in 2024, which improved parts availability and accessibility nationwide.
Customers today benefit from a range of service offerings, including online service booking, mobile service vehicle, express service, service price calculator, and pickup and delivery. These initiatives are designed to enhance convenience, ease of service, and peace of mind-further reinforcing Ford’s focus on customer satisfaction.
Leadership transition
Meanwhile, Ford Philippines also announced the appointment of Pushparaj Muthusamy as director of Ford Customer Service Division. Based in Manila, Raj reports directly to managing director Pedro Simoes. He succeeds Joyce Laxamana, who has been appointed parts supply and logistics director for Ford Asean.
‘As vehicle technologies rapidly evolve-from advanced connectivity to sophisticated safety features and electrified systems-our dealership teams must be equipped with the highest level of technical mastery, product knowledge, and customer-handling skills. We are confident that this Ford Learning Center can help standardize, elevate, and future-proof our operational capabilities,’ said Muthusamy.
In his new role, Raj will lead Ford’s after-sales operations in the Philippines, focusing on enhancing the ownership experience, driving service retention through data-driven initiatives, and strengthening relationships with dealer partners.
‘Raj’s expertise in data analytics and his customer-centric approach have already delivered significant results for our operations. His leadership will be pivotal as we continue to modernize our service offerings, build long-term loyalty with our customers, and enhance the Ford ownership experience with a focus on after-sales,’ said Simoes.