TIM DAHLE, PICKED UP THE TORCH . . .

Watching my mom and dad create and cultivate a new business provided me with countless rich experiences throughout my life. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and lessons learned under their watchful eye. Growing up, we always had some new weird car that no one else in the neighborhood had. During his lifetime, my dad had many franchises which included NSU (don’t ask), BMW, Saab, MG, Toyota, Honda, Fiat, Alfa Romero, Peugeot, TVR, Yugo, Isuzu, Subaru, GMC, Buick, Mazda, Datsun (which later became Nissan) and Infiniti.

I worked many hours learning the business from the bottom up which included washing cars, sweeping the lot and picking up cigarette butts. I also spent some time in the Service Department changing oil and stocking parts at the dealership. Long before scan guns and computers, we used microfiche to locate parts and hand-wrote repair orders and parts invoices. I learned a lot from the employees (most of it was good, the rest was good to watch out for).

At 18, I sold my first car at Cline’s Datsun, 4608 S. State Street, Murray, Utah. It was a purple Datsun F-10 which was Datsun’s first front-wheel drive car. It was a rush it was so much fun. I decided right then and there what my life course would be and I never turned back. I’m fortunate my dad had the same vision for my future as I did. He directed and guided me throughout the process of dealership management and ownership.

In April, 1989, I became the newest and probably one of the youngest Nissan dealers in the Country. With the support of so many wonderful customers and dedicated hard-working employees whom I consider to be my personal friends, we have managed to thrive over the ensuing 23 years.

As we have prospered, we understand and believe it is vital for the growth and well-being of our community to give back and share our good fortune. We have participated in numerous fundraisers which have been extremely successful and beneficial to the needs of others in our community. Some donation recipients include Shriners Hospital, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, local high school and higher education institutions in our state, Heart Association, Arthritis Foundation, Utah Food Bank and Boy Scouts of America just to name a few. Our annual Toys for Tots drive funded by our employees with their contributions matched by the company have provided thousands of dollars in toys for children which is a tribute to all the employees and their generosity.

As we look forward, I’m optimistic and enthusiastic about the opportunities and prospects evolving in the car industry. There are so many exciting new Nissan and Infiniti products on the horizon. Technology, research and development have opened doors we never imaged possible. My wife and I have two sons, a daughter and son-in-law who are looking forward to carrying the torch for another 44 years in one aspect of the business or another. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and dedication to work hard. I share a love of my country and the State of Utah and I’m encouraged about the prospects of our future as we all work together with common goals.