Brian Jones has recently retired from his position as dealer principal at Halfway Toyota Shelly Beach, handing the reins over to his son Stephen. The position became official on January 1 this year. Stephen is looking forward to the new role, having enjoyed success as the general and new vehicle sales manager.

Stephen said he is ready to put into place all his father has taught him over the years, and to maintain the same very high standards set by him. Stephen joined the company as a very young man in 2008, as a used vehicles sales executive. In 2016 he was appointed as the new vehicle sales manager and then in 2018 the general sales manager for new and used vehicles.

It’s obvious he has a passion for what he does – something he believes is critical for true success – and, combined with the company culture and family legacy, it should all bode well for him. He follows in the footsteps of his father Brian and grandfather Arthur before him. Stephen is looking to do his best to empower the staff.

“I aim to ensure everyone grows and hope to continue to inspire my staff to provide outstanding customer service. The dealership is sure to continue its year-on-year success,” he said. “Starting with my grandfather, there is a wonderful family history and I will continue to carry those values and take the company to higher levels. It would be great to one day win the national dealer award,” he said.

Stephen has also been awarded the prestigious status of ‘knight’ within the Toyota South Africa group. Retirement Brian worked in the motoring industry for some 42 years and became a prominent figure and highly respected man.

He started in July 1980 after completing his articles with an accounting firm in Margate. At the time, his father had been experiencing challenges in finding a suitable accountant and insisted Brian join him. Unfortunately, Arthur died six months later, with Brian stepping up to lead the company.

“It has been an incredible journey. My wife Liz and I been truly blessed, with numerous overseas trips, and meeting wonderful people as part of the Toyota family. Thanks to an incredible management team and staff we have received numerous awards from Toyota, as well as from a number of our business partners,” he said. Brian explained that then South Coast Toyota joined forces with the Halfway Group in 2000.

“This was an excellent decision as it enabled us to grow to become a mega dealer in Shelly Beach and gave my brother Mark and his son Dylan the opportunity of taking over and managing the George dealership in the Halfway Group which is doing very well.” Brian said he was proud of the fact that his youngest son Christopher was very successful in running the Lexus dealership in Fourways and had no doubt that Stephen and his management team and staff would take the Shelly Beach dealership to greater heights.

He thanked all Toyota’s wonderful customers and staff for their incredible support over the years. “Having worked in our amazing facility, with one of the best views (from my office) and interacting with many loyal customers and staff over all these years will definitely be something I will miss. Regarding our retirement plans , Liz and I would like to visit my oldest son, Arthur, his wife, Jess and our grandchildren, Georgie and Carter in Wales on an annual basis, as well as seeing more of our wonderful country.”

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