Tom Gilbert (Adelaide Hills Toyota): “We sell cars, but we’re in the people business.”
Adelaide Hills Toyota was built on four generations of Gilberts. In the late 1800s, Tom’s great-great grandfather started a business in Strathalbyn that manufactured bikes, which was ahead of its time. In 1926, Gilbert Motors opened in Mount Barker, during an era of Australia’s first car, Holden.
In the mid 1980s, Tom’s father, a Holden loyalist, saw the technology and quality coming from Toyota, and made the switch to focus on that brand. It was his father’s initiative, attitude and hustling that has informed Tom’s nearly 30 years of service to the business – now, as Managing Director.
In this enlightening episode, Tom talks about tenacity, values-driven leadership, and the unparalleled culture that’s built over two centuries in business. You’ll hear Tom’s love for the Adelaide Hills, creating loyalty and legacy, and the quote that positively propelled him during his hardest moments.
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