Actor Dingdong Dantes sets up Hyundai dealership

Dingdong Dantes' latest venture is not in show business, but in the auto industry.

The actor recently formed WIT Auto Group Corp. with partners Mark Sayarot and Buhay party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng to operate the Hyundai Parañaque West car dealership.

"It is my first time to venture in the automotive business," Dantes said during the inauguration of the dealership last Friday.

"It's a very important milestone for me na naging bahagi ako ng WIT Auto Group at ng Hyundai," he added.

Dantes is WIT Auto Group vice president, Tieng is managing director and Sayarot is president.

The actor's love for cars led him to enter auto sales.

"I always engage myself in things that are very close to me, things that I'm passionate about...ang kotse is one of those," Dantes told GMA News Online in a separate interview.

"Sabi ko sa sarili ko, one day, gusto ko magkaroon niyan...dahil sa mas maraming trabaho, nakapagpatayo ako ng dealership," he added.

Dantes said he has been investing in other businesses since 2004.

"I tried the food business once. 'Di masyado okay. But yung KTV, Centerstage, is good," he said.

Dantes co-owns Centerstage Family KTV and Music Bar with Karylle. It now has three branches in Quezon City, Makati City and Pasay City.

"We will all have our fair share...when it comes to involving ourselves in investing, whether right or wrong investment. So I've learned from all those and I'm happy to be part of this group," he added.

For this year, the actor said he will not venture into other businesses but will focus on growing the dealership.

"In the duration of three to five years, we're looking to put up three more," Dantes said.

Dantes is confident Hyundai Parañaque West will be a major contributor to Hyundai Asia Resources Inc.'s (HARI) overall sales performance.

"Ang kagandahan ng service area namin ay malaki. In terms of size, hindi kami ang biggest. But given that, may advantage ka to store more vehicles," he said.

WIT Auto Group has set an internal target of selling 70 units this year.

Despite all these plans, "Main business ko pa din is showbusiness," said Dantes.

"My main job is an actor. My great sales office is on the field. If I represent it well, then I'm doing my job well," he added. — BM, GMA News