Benny Leung (left), Lorri Leung (centre) and Toronto Councilor James Pasternak participate in ribbon cutting ceremony of Toronto Hyundai
Benny Leung deserves to celebrate.
After starting out in the dealership world in 1981 as a salesperson with Chrysler and working his way up to become an owner, his crowning achievement happened last week with the official grand opening of Toronto Hyundai and Genesis Yorkdale. The project had been seven years in the making.
“The grand opening of Toronto Hyundai and Genesis Yorkdale is truly a dream come true,” said Leung. “These flagship facilities represent years of hard work, vision and dedication from our entire team. They embody our commitment to innovation, customer care, and creating spaces that reflect the future of automotive retail. It’s incredibly rewarding to see this vision come to life and to share it with the community we proudly serve.”
Along with his wife, Lorri, who together operate as Marsim Auto Group that is named after their daughters Martina and Simona, the two dealerships that are joined together represent a $30 million investment development.
The 40,000 square-foot dual brand complex is situated on three acres of prime real estate just south of Yorkdale Shopping Mall, Canada’s premier shopping destination, and easily accessible via Highway 401. Some features of the overall complex include a two-level service department with 24 advanced service bays.
Architect Wes Surdyka worked closely with the Leungs to design a place that balances bold aesthetics with functionality. Hady Construction led the execution of the build. The City of Toronto facilitated critical upgrades to local roads and utilities, helping transform a once-underutilized site into a thriving commercial hub.
“We are so excited to be finally here,” Leung said. “Take a look outside, we have changed the landscape of Dufferin Street and Highway 401.”
The grand opening event blended Chinese elements to salute Leung’s heritage as a native of Hong Kong, and Korea to reflect both the Hyundai and Genesis brands.
The Hyundai aspect featured women dressed as ribbons and lion dancers performing traditional performance art that is done at festivals. The Genesis aspect had women dressed in elegant evening dresses and lampshades. It also included the presentation of a porcelain moon jar, which is a symbol of Korean history.
Family, friends, business associates, employees, Toronto City Councilor James Pasternak, whose riding includes the two dealerships, and executives from both brands attended.
“I just wonder why I am in the car business,” said Leung. “I don’t really like cars, but I love people. People and building relationships are my life.”
Leung joined Hyundai in 1996 buying a dealership in Oakville and two years later built a new one in midtown Toronto, which was basically a postage stamp that outgrew its size. It has been converted into Kia Yorkdale, formerly West Toronto Kia.
“Take care of people, treat them right and be honest,” said Leung. “Deliver what you promise. To be standing here over 40 years later, bringing those same values into my business has deep meaning and seems like a dream.”
Ken Maisonville, Hyundai Canada Executive Director, Customer Experience & Aftersales, praised Leung for becoming a Hyundai dealer back when the brand was in its infancy and sold 20,000 cars a year. It now sells about 150,000 cars and is the second-leading retailer of electric vehicles.
“If you know Benny, he likes to gamble a little bit now and again,” said Maisonville. “He’s a risk taker. Smart gamble there, Benny.”
Genesis Canada Director Eric Marshall congratulated Leung for being an adamant supporter of the brand. “Without Benny I’m not sure how far we would have been right from the get-go.”
Leung is well known in the industry and through his leadership roles, including President of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (now Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario), and President of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association.
“Benny brought a vision to life that positions customers at the forefront of the car buying experience,” said Steve Flamand, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada, in a press release to celebrate the event.
“Hyundai and Genesis are enjoying unprecedented growth in great part because of leaders like Benny Leung, whose vision is instrumental in sustaining success for years to come. Congratulations to all.”
