Auto Sales Co. started life when Edward Vincenti Kind began importing an impressive number of products that included cosmetics, ladies’ shoes, household goods, radios and passenger cars.
It operated from Republic Street in Valletta and imported and sold worldwide known brands like GEC, Max Factor, Buick and Chevrolet, both American car brands, and the British Austin.
After the end of World War II, Mr Vincenti Kind made business contact with Daimler-Benz in West Germany and Renault in France. Meanwhile, in 1953 his son, the late Richard Vincenti Kind, who had been trained in the various firms represented by his father, bought all the shares and took over the running of Auto Sales Co. The rest, as they say, is history.
To celebrate, Auto Sales Ltd, which forms part of the Renmer Group, has prepared a number of activities to be held throughout the year.
The company will be reserving a part of the sale proceeds of each vehicle sold in a special fund. It plans to use the money gathered to make a donation to an NGO every quarter. The NGOs have been chosen in such a way as to cover three sectors: namely those who help people with medical or special needs, those which aim to promote Maltese promising musical talent and those that work for the preservation of Maltese heritage.
In respect of the latter two NGOs, Auto Sales Ltd has paid for the restoration of a rare and valuable book at the National Library in the first quarter and made a donation to the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation.
During this anniversary year, all customers who register a vehicle of any of the company’s brands will be receiving a small, special gift as a token of the company’s appreciation.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, a treasure hunt for employees has been organised for May. This competition will be run by a group of independent judges and each member of the winning team will receive a prize.
A staff competition will also be held in June and December. The employee with the best initiative and performance will be nominated by all the other employees and will be suitably rewarded.
The main celebration of Kind’s 90th anniversary took place on April 10. Several guests from Daimler AG and Renault SA attended, namely Vincent Tourette, managing director from Renault; Briony Hill, Renault markets coordinator and importers; Robertino Renz, regional marketing and sales manager for FUSO Europe; and Kai Hoffman, Daimler overseas region manager.
The reception marking the anniversary, held at Kind’s Auto Sales Ltd showrooms in Lija, was well attended by both esteemed clients and all company staff members. Throughout the evening attendees enjoyed musical performances by Red Electrick and Renault brand ambassador Ivan Grech.