US Ambassador Lee Lipton Welcomes Ford Philippines Chief Pedro Simoes, Highlights Economic Partnership
MANILA, Philippines — United States Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton welcomed Ford Philippines President and Managing Director Pedro Simoes to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, highlighting the American automaker’s longstanding presence in the Philippine market and its contribution to economic ties between the two countries.
In a statement, Lipton described Ford Motor Company as a “proudly American company” that has supplied vehicles to Filipino families and businesses for years.
“Welcome Ford Philippines Managing Director and President Pedro Simoes to the Embassy. A proudly American company, Ford Motor Company has delivered top-tier vehicles to Filipino families and businesses for years,” Lipton said, using the hashtag #PartnersInProsperity.
The meeting underscores the broader economic dimension of the decades-old Philippine-U.S. relationship, with American companies playing a significant role in trade, investment, manufacturing, technology and consumer markets in the Philippines.
Lipton, who assumed his post in 2026, has made stronger economic and commercial ties a key part of his diplomatic agenda. He presented his credentials to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 30, formally beginning his tour as the new U.S. ambassador to the Philippines.
During his initial engagements in Manila, Lipton said he intended to deepen the bilateral partnership, particularly in security, economic and commercial cooperation.
Simoes leads Ford Philippines
Simoes became managing director of Ford Group Philippines on Dec. 1, 2024, succeeding Michael “Mike” Breen, who returned to the United States. Before moving to Manila, Simoes served as Ford’s marketing, commercial vehicle and fleet director in the Middle East.
A Portuguese national with an engineering background, Simoes joined Ford’s Middle East operations in Dubai in 2016. His previous assignments included retail marketing and revenue management, with responsibilities covering markets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Ford said when he was appointed that Simoes would focus on sustaining the company’s growth in the Philippines, improving the customer and after-sales experience and strengthening relationships with its dealer network.
He now serves as president and managing director of Ford Group Philippines. The company operates a nationwide dealership network and sells vehicles including the Ranger pickup, Everest SUV, Territory and Mustang.
Ford expands Philippine operations
Under Simoes, Ford Philippines has continued investing in its local operations, including customer service, dealership capabilities, training and electrified vehicles.
The company opened a new Ford Learning Center in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen technical and customer-service capabilities among its dealership personnel. Simoes said the facility represented Ford’s commitment to its Philippine customers, partners and employees.
Ford has also continued expanding its after-sales infrastructure. The company previously opened a Parts Distribution Center in Laguna and has introduced services such as online service booking, mobile service vehicles, express service and vehicle pickup and delivery.
Ford’s electrification push has likewise become an increasingly important part of its Philippine strategy. In 2026, the company highlighted the all-electric Mustang Mach-E as part of its expanding local electrified vehicle portfolio.
The company’s expansion beyond Metro Manila has also included investments in provincial markets. Ford Mandaue in Cebu, opened in 2025, was described as the company’s largest service facility in the Visayas, with more than 20 service bays and over 30 dedicated body and paint bays.
Business ties at the center of PH-US relations
The Lipton-Simoes meeting comes as Manila and Washington mark 80 years of formal diplomatic relations in 2026. The two governments have emphasized not only their longstanding defense alliance but also greater cooperation in trade, investment, energy, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and resilient supply chains.
Before arriving in Manila, Lipton met Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez in Washington, where they discussed opportunities to strengthen economic engagement, including cooperation in critical minerals, energy, advanced manufacturing and supply chains.
Lipton is a Florida businessman and former private-sector executive who was nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025. The U.S. Senate confirmed him in May 2026. Before entering government, he had more than two decades of business experience, including running an apparel company and owning restaurants in Florida.
His meeting with Ford’s Philippine chief therefore comes against a backdrop of renewed emphasis on the commercial and investment component of the Philippine-U.S. alliance.
For Ford, the engagement provides an opportunity to underscore its American corporate heritage while continuing to expand its presence in one of Southeast Asia’s major automotive markets.
For the United States Embassy, meanwhile, the meeting reflects Washington’s effort to promote American businesses and deepen commercial links with the Philippines as the two allies seek to broaden their partnership beyond traditional security cooperation.
