For more than 25 years, Lou Van Daele has owned and operated Mandurah Holden.
During that time he has employed local staff, supported local charities and clubs, and been an active member in the Mandurah community.
Lou has steered the business with year-on-year growth from humble beginnings in 1993, to the current state-of-the-art, purpose-built Holden showrooms, which they moved into in 2013.
After a quarter of a century at the helm, Lou has decided it is time to retire.
However, the business he has built will remain in the Van Daele family, with his son Shane and daughter in-law Sherron buying the business.
"Whilst lots of things have changed in the automotive landscape and with Holden in the past, I am proud of what I have built and want to thank the tens of thousands of customers that have trusted me with the second-biggest purchase of their life over my 25 years in Mandurah," Lou said.
"I want to thank my staff, current and past, for helping me achieve my dream and I will miss not seeing my 'family' every day.
"I am proud that my son Shane has been by my side for 19 of the 25 years and I am excited for him and Sherron to buy the business from me and keep it in the family.
"I can't wait to watch their boys Harrison and Jackson enjoy the family business like we have."
Shane said his focus going forward was to continue the business with the same ethos that Lou has held for more than 25 years.
"Our business will always be one where you can come in and deal with the owner," he said.
"Privately owned and operated car dealerships are very rare nowadays and the focus has gone from customer satisfaction to shareholder satisfaction. We maintain our 100 per cent customer focus."
Lou said that he would be at the dealership until the end of March and invited the community to come in and say goodbye.
You can also e-mail him on lou@mandurahholden.com.au.
Mandurah Holden is based at 291 Pinjarra Road. Visit mandurahholden.com.au.
