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TMI Pacific P/L is the newly formed company that will import and distribute
Mahindra motor vehicles in Australia from early 2007. This associated company of
the Tynan Motor Group, will add weight to the existing stable of eleven brands
which the Sutherland Shire-based Group holds.
Michael Tynan started in business with a jewellery shop in Kogarah but he was
also keenly involved in rallying. During his ten years of rallying, he was
noticed by Mazda in Japan, who very soon had him into their cars. Within three
months, he was offered the Mazda franchise for the Sutherland Shire, which was
to be their dealership first in Australia!
So it was November 1966 when Michael Tynan proudly started Tynan Motors in a
service station in Sutherland. From that base the company flourished, expanding,
relocating and growing to the enormous group that it is now.
The Tynan Motors Group is still a family company, into its third generation
of family involvement. It is rated 74th in BRW Magazine Top 500 Family
Companies, employing well over 400 staff at six locations including
multi-franchise dealerships, service centres and a tyre centre.
It gained the Honda franchise in 1971, then Subaru thirty years ago, in 1976.
As shown by taking on these brands in their early, establishment days in
Australia, Michael Tynan proved himself a shrewd judge of brands that would
strengthen and grow.
"I could see the quality, practicality and toughness in these brands. I was
delighted to take them on and grow with them, as they built in public esteem and
worth."
He sees Mahindra similarly. "I'd seen Mahindra come and go in this market
years ago, without really knowing why, whether it was the product or the local
operation that fell short.”
"What I now know is that Mahindra has been steadily developing more and
better motor vehicles, not only for its enormous home market but also for
export.”
"The Indian market demands the same thing that Australians, especially rural
and off-road users, want primarily from their working vehicles.”
"They want strong, tough, reliable workhorses, with practical styling and
engineering. They cannot afford to have something that's expensive or complex to
repair and maintain. An Australian rural user or traveller likewise cannot
afford to be let down by his vehicle.”
"On top of that, at a time when the rural industry is being hit so hard, by
drought, interest rates and now the threat of fires, Mahindra will be very price
competitive.”
"Although prices are yet to be set, we know we have to catch people's
attention with sharp pricing, to set a strong base for Mahindra in Australia. We
can't match the big, established outfits in advertising and marketing budgets,
so our vehicles and pricing will have to speak for themselves.”
"The Mahindra Pik-up is just the first of what can soon build into an
interesting range of vehicles..."
The Tynan Motor Group now has a collection of franchises that are the envy of
many dealers - Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Kia, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and
Hyundai.
Michael Tynan still retains the same enthusiasm and passion he had for the
business when he first started.
Added to time as a Councillor and then Mayor of Sutherland Shire on several
occasions, he's served on the National Board of Calvary Health Care Services,
been Chair of the National Planning and Development Committee and the President
of the Calvary Kogarah Foundation.
He's also been a member of the Honda Foundation, is currently Deputy
President of the NRMA and has been actively involved in the Motor Traders'
Association, including as President.
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