The driving force behind Valley Toyota and Tony Richards Toyota has been congratulated for clocking up four decades with the brand.
Wayne Richards started his career at Valley Toyota in 1982 and he held mechanic and sales roles before accelerating to chief executive in the early 2000s.
Tony Richards Toyota administrator Julie Richards said the achievement was a “massive deal” for the family dealership.
“The biggest thing is that [the dealership has] been in the family because I believe there’s not many franchises around where it started off and it’s still in the same family,” she said.
Julie said Wayne was appointed chief executive of Tony Richards Toyota in Paeroa in 2000 before also becoming chief executive of Valley Toyota in Thames in 2002 when Tony Richards Toyota purchased Valley Toyota from the Muir family.
Julie said Wayne, whose favourite Toyota vehicle was a Land Cruiser, would remain the driving force behind both dealerships for the foreseeable future.
Toyota NZ said Wayne achieving 40 years was an “outstanding effort” and a tribute to his love of the brand and commitment to its family legacy.
“This legacy to the Coromandel, your family, your staff and your customers is representative of who you are.
“You are a loyal, steadfast and true friend and businessman to all. Forty years is a stunning achievement, and one that you should be immensely proud of… certainly Toyota in NZ is!”
