Elizabeth Lee quits UMC, Campi posts

Elizabeth Lee, one of the most recognizable faces in the automotive sector, has resigned from her posts as chief operating officer of Universal Motors Corp. and president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.

In a letter sent to the media Wednesday, Lee said her decision to leave the company and the industry was part of her personal search for growth.

“I see my stint at Campi and UMC as an excellent chapter in (my) corporate life. But like a good play that deserves an encore, a new chapter will open up for me in a different setting, maybe with a different set of players, and probably with even greater challenges,” Lee wrote.

“My retirement from UMC and resignation from Campi were part of my discernment process to give me the much-needed space and time to consider other opportunities and conquer new fields,” she added.

In her almost 12 years in UMC, Lee helped steer the company to become a significant player in the local auto sector, despite the limited number of models UMC was selling in the market.

Lee considered the “Ur Van, Ur Business” program, which aimed to use the Nissan Urvan to promote entrepreneurship in the country, as one of the company’s greatest milestones.

Today, Nissan Urvan units are popularly used as “mega taxis” that ferry passengers to and from various points in the country. This nameplate is also a popular choice among those in the vehicle rental and school bus businesses.

As president of Campi, she helped advance the local industry’s advocacy to spur investments in local assembly, ban the importation of used vehicles and curb vehicle smuggling.