1947, the business was re-started, with his eldest son Patrick focusing on repair and maintenance services.
1952, the company evolved into Stewart's Auto Sales Limited and became the dealer for Daimler and Lancaster, English cars of distinction.
1957, they were appointed agents for the Singer Motor Company, importing the Singer Vogue and Gazelle.
1960, Lionel Stewart’s second son, Richard (current Chairman) joined the company as Service Manager, having recently returned to Jamaica after training in engineering and marketing from Daimler Motor Company and the Rootes Group in England.
1961. Patrick Stewart left the company to start his own garage.
1962, Richard married Diana deLisser who started in the company by assisting in the areas of finance and accounts on a part-time basis. She eventually joined full time in 1975, at the request of Lionel Stewart, who travelled to England where she was holidaying with her children, Duncan and Jacqueline, to inform her that he had just appointed her Company Secretary and he needed her, in addition to other duties, to assume responsibility for the accounts functions, as the books needed urgent straightening out. Fortunately the children no longer needed her constant attention.
Mrs. Stewart recalls that Lionel Stewart’s expectations were very high and everyone had to work very hard; there could be no relaxing until all tasks were completed, however, work was fun and friends would often come in on a Saturday to help with stocktaking and to drive new cars from the wharf. The showroom at the small premises on Hanover Street presented many challenges to make it aesthetically pleasing as it was not possible to hold more than 4 cars at a time.
1960-1968, business was extremely good until 1968 when Daimler was bought out by British Leyland and the dealership ceased.
1971, the Rootes Group was taken over by Chrysler and the dealership was discontinued. Stewart’s then was once again totally dependent on its merchandise and repair operations for mechanical and body work.
1978, Richard Stewart succeeded his father, Lionel, as Managing Director. The focus of the Jamaican auto industry had shifted to Japan and this was where he set his sights.
1982, after two years of negotiation, the dealership rights for the Japanese Suzuki range was secured, and over the years has become a major new car dealer and a dominant force in the market. The first shipment of the Suzuki range introduced to Jamaica was the SJ410 4-wheel drive. Later introductions were the Samurai 4-wheel drive, Forsa, Vitara 4-wheel drive and the Swift. The Suzuki Swift became the most popular small car in Jamaica and the Vitara the No. 1 4-wheel drive. Over the years, the importation of Suzuki vehicles has been in step with the current models offered by Suzuki internationally.
The range comprises of the Carry Truck, Panel Van and Window Wagon; Liana; Jimny; the best selling Grand Vitara range, and the XL7.
1985 and 1986, a third generation of Stewarts, Duncan and Jacqueline joined the company. Their love of motor vehicles was nurtured during after-school visits and holiday jobs. This, coupled with their grandfather’s strong message of business and family continuity, left no doubt that they would join the family business.
After graduating from Campion College, Duncan, now a doting father of a son and a daughter, attended McGill University where he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in computer science, joining the company in the Parts Department. He now heads the parts, service and merchandise departments and is one of 4 of the company’s four directors. He ensures the right systems are in place to guarantee that we have the correct supply of parts. As a dealer, we have the reputation of servicing what we sell by having the parts, and if those parts are not available, to fly them in at no expense to the customer.
1986, Jacqueline, now Lechler and mother of 2 daughters and 2 sons, after finishing school in England, started full time with the company. Her parents insisted that she be treated like all other employees and she had to be at work on time. She is now responsible for the accounts department
1987, the Company relocated to its present address, 6-8 Orchard Road, which houses the Service and Body shop, equipped with state of the art facilities and the most up to date equipment available; the Merchandise department with computerized parts inventory system, the Sales department and Showroom and the Accounts department.
1988, a bonded warehouse was opened at Orchard Road.
1992, a subsidiary, Stewart's Auto Paints was established, distributing Glasurit Automotive paints and finishes, and introducing computerized colour matching, as well as a wide range of automotive accessories. In 1995, a branch of this subsidiary was opened in Montego Bay.
1994, October, the Skoda range of vehicles, manufactured in the Czech Republic, was introduced to the market.
The bonded warehouse facility was expanded to include premises at 16 Old Hope Road.
1995, a bonded store, capable of accommodating eight hundred (800) vehicles, was opened at 2 South Avenue, Kingston 5. The monthly shipment of the latest models is accommodated there, enabling speedy delivery to customers.
1997, Richard Stewart was appointed Chairman and Diana Stewart, Managing Director
1998, the popular Vitara changed to the expanded and upgraded Grand Vitara Range .The Jimny was also introduced in this year.
1999, the Grand Vitara was established as the best selling SUV in Jamaica. The redesigned Alto was introduced in December.
2001, February, the Ignis range of vehicles was launched. In August, the luxurious Grand Vitara XL7 joined the local Suzuki family.
2002, September, Stewart's Auto Sales celebrated its 20th Anniversary with Suzuki, with the launch of the Liana range of vehicles.
2003, We have expanded our service facilities by adding several new bays, increasing our facilities by 100%.
The company enjoys the enviable reputation of being a first class full service dealership, carrying the widest range of spare parts and accessories of new car dealers in the English Speaking Caribbean. The service and body shop are staffed by factory-trained technicians who are specialists in their area of technology. The modern workshop is equipped to restore vehicles to factory specifications.
STEWART'S - The Corporate Citizen
Stewart's Auto Sales continues to play its role of a model Corporate Citizen and over the years has been involved in the sports scene with the Reggae Boyz and with West Indies cricket. In April 2002, an XL-7 was presented to Shivnarine Chanerpaul, the Man of the Cable & Wireless Series against India.
There is continued support of major charities, including Missionaries of the Poor and SANTA For Children.
Recognizing the need for first class medical facilities, we joined a number of companies becoming a donor to the Tony Thwaites Wing Expansion at the University Hospital of the West Indies. This expansion benefits facilities for the entire hospital.
Continuing the Corporate Citizen role, we saw the need for a partnership between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Private Sector and became one of several companies to invest in what is known as the PERF Report on Crime and Violence in Jamaica. A partnership has been created between the Government of Jamaica, USAID, PRIVATE AND Public companies. This report originated on the initiative of AMCHAM (The American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica)
It was decided that the pioneer model Community Policing Facility, with a newly built and upgraded Health Centre would be erected in Grant's Pen on land previously occupied by the Edna Manley Health Centre. Our Managing Director, Mrs. Diana Stewart is Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee of AMCHAM which has undertaken the project.
Donations are still being sought for the on-going Sustainability Plan and tax free donations can be sent to the Economic Development Foundation of Jamaica for 35 Grants Pen Road, c/o AMCHAM, 61 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5 or Stewart's Auto Sales - Attn: Mrs. D. Stewart, 6 Orchard Road, Kingston 5.
Stewart's also contributes to numerous smaller charities, too numerous to mention
On the cultural front, we are involved with Mediamix and Royal Palm Estate and you will often see Richard Blackburn in his XL-7.
We enjoy excellent staff loyalty, manifesting in a low turnover, usually due to migration.
