Debono Group celebrated over sixty years of partnership with Toyota, an alliance that has left its mark not just on the local corporate community but also on the European automobile landscape, bearing witness to an extraordinary success story of entrepreneurship and resilience.
This milestone was marked at an event held at the Michael Debono Limited showroom in Żebbuġ on Friday, 19th April. Attending the event were Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela, Toyota Motor Europe's CEO Yoshihiro Nakata, and Scott Thompson, President and Managing Director of Toyota GB, who joined the Debono family in honouring their legacy and ushering in the decades to come.
The alliance between the group and the Japanese car making company owes its beginning to Michael Debono, who in 1960 imported and sold a Toyota Crown, the first ever Toyota vehicle to be sold in Europe, sowing the seeds of success for Debono Group's story in Malta, and for Toyota across the European market.
Commenting on the family legacy, Debono Group's CEO Geoffrey Debono stated: "In paying tribute to my late father and grandfather, as well as to my mother who made the transition to the current generation possible, I would like to underscore the values of hard work, dedication, and of driving positive change. These are the principles that contributed uniquely to our legacy, continue to inspire us today, and guide our future."
Geoffrey Debono also spoke on the successful partnership with Toyota: "This year, Toyota has been named the best-selling automotive brand in Malta for the sixth year running. The success of both Debono Group and Toyota is built on the foundation of Toyota's core values-continuous improvement, utmost quality, and the spirit of positive change through innovative solutions, such as its self-charging hybrid models, unique warranty and flexible payment offerings. Toyota's long-term thinking and deep social responsibility have not only led to short-term successes but have paved the way for long-lasting solutions that benefit the company, the environment, and society."
To honour the longstanding relationship between Toyota and Debono Group, Toyota Great Britain, President and Managing Director, Scott Thompson, presented Geoffrey Debono with a commemorative plaque in recognition of Debono Group's 60 years of outstanding service to the Toyota franchise. Commemorative mementos were also presented to the guests of honour by Mrs Therese Debono.
With exciting projects beckoning, Debono Group also announced a new chapter in its journey - the sponsorship of Paralympic athlete Maja Theuma who has successfully been confirmed by the International Paralympic Committee for the 50m S6 class event and will be representing Malta in the Paris Paralympics. Maja joins the Debono Group as its new Brand Ambassador, epitomising its 'Mobility for all' Initiative.
The event celebrating this anniversary was a vibrant fusion of Maltese and Japanese cultures, honouring the traditions of Malta and Japan in the set up and in the culinary delicacies from both countries that were served to all those present.
Adding significance to the event's backdrop was the iconic first Toyota Crown imported to Malta by Michael Debono, which provided a poignant connection to the past and the legacy that Debono Group aspires to carry forward with unyielding resolve, clear vision and the same determination that has always defined it.