3rd generation Ty takes driver’s seat at Toyota Motor Philippines marketing unit

On the road with Andy Ty

MANILA, Philippines — Andrew Ryan “Andy” Ty, grandson of the late banking and automotive tycoon George Ty, has taken the driver’s seat at Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP)’s Marketing Services Department as its assistant vice president – and he’s loving it.

Andy, after all, grew up loving cars and dreamed of working at TMP long before he was old enough to do so. It was always his dream job, even as his father, Arthur, was assigned to the banking arm of the family conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, Metrobank, where he now serves as chairman.

As a young boy, Andy spent summers at Metrobank’s head office in Ayala, working as a messenger and delivering inter-office materials.

But his passion always leaned toward the automotive business.

His grandfather seemed to have sensed that early on. Andy recalls George Ty once pointing at him – like a judge handing out a verdict: “You. Toyota!”

Andy was still a teenager then.

In high school, Andy interned at Toyota Manila Bay, answering calls from customers and doing various support tasks.

“I grew up loving cars,” he said in an interview with The STAR last month during the Toyota Road Trek 18, an annual multi-day driving event that showcases TMP’s vehicles while promoting the beauty of the Philippines.

This year’s Road Trek was held in Aklan, journeying through Caticlan and Antique, with the final stop on the famed Boracay, where participants also had the option to experience water sports and enjoy the emerald blue waters of the island.

Andy admitted he wanted to ride the jet ski, too. “There’s a speed demon in me,” he said, laughing.

Turning serious, Andy noted that the Road Trek is also a way for TMP to strengthen ties with its stakeholders, including media partners, while also promoting the country’s many tourist spots.

“It’s one thing to drive our cars within the city, but another to use them to explore the provinces. More than just the usual commute or going from point to point. So in going to these provinces, you get to experience our cars in a different way, in a way that is not as ‘mindless,’ and see why our customers like Toyota,” Andy said.

Andy definitely knows his stuff. He’s personable and energetic. As one Road Trek participant puts it, "Andy is like an EV that’s always fully charged.”

Despite being a third-generation Ty, Andy wasn’t handed his roles on a silver platter. He went through the standard process, including internships and job interviews at TMP, which is chaired by his uncle Alfred.

Over the years, he has developed strong skills in marketing – from learning how to forecast demand and set specifications and pricing to exploring new ground in mobility products and services.

He was even assigned to Japan for two years, from July 2022 to June 2024, where he studied value chain projects like retrofitting accessories on used vehicles and mastered the Toyota Production System, a framework for maximizing efficiency and quality. He also learned TPS terms and concepts in Japanese.

“As AVP, I’m focused on helping my team continuously improve our work in the spirit of kaizen,” he said.

Prior to his Japan assignment, Andy – an economics graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University – served as TMP’s business planning and finance manager, overseeing planning for both new and existing mobility services.

Today, he’s fully immersed in his role as AVP of TMP’s marketing department.

As a self-confessed speed demon and gearhead, Andy also hopes to drive more often – and perhaps one day, take the driver’s seat in a Toyota Gazoo Racing cup.