Debono Group is celebrating 60 years in operation, announcing that in 1960, founder Michael Debono was in his garage in Freedom Avenue fixing his first client’s car.

“Today, the business has drastically grown, employing over 130 employees,” the company said online.

Its founder was also the first person in Europe to import and sell a Toyota motorcar, according to the Group.

“Little did anyone imagine at that time that Toyota would go on to be a world leading automotive OEM.”

The Toyota brand has been central to the Group’s success, however it has also branched out into other ventures such as selling and servicing commercial vehicles and motorcycles, transportation through the company Cool – Malta’s first ride-sharing application, short-let car rental services through its company GoTo and the property market.

The Group has seen three generations of Debonos at the helm. Today, the group Chief Executive Officer is Geoffery Debono while group Strategic Director is Michael Debono.

On Michael Debono’s whoswho.mt profile, he remarked that his focus is to “to redefine the way goods and people move around Malta.”