In 2014, we celebrated our 25th anniversary. For 25 years, Lipton Toyota has been Fort Lauderdale's local Toyota dealer. We are truly grateful to all of our wonderful customers who made 2014 a fantastic year for Lipton Toyota! 2014 was our best year EVER in sales, and we look forward to setting a new record in 2015!
Our family at Lipton Toyota is proud to share this article from the Sun-Sentinel featuring our 25th Anniversary Celebration!
Lipton Toyota celebrates 25 years in Fort Lauderdale
It was a quarter century ago when Robert Lipton bought an aging Toyota store, located at on of South Florida's best spots for a car dealership.
Back then, in 1989, Lipton took over what had been Oakland Park Toyota, at the northwest corner of Interstate 95 and Oakland Park Boulevard.
Today the Fort Lauderdale dealership that is celebrating its 25th anniversary is still named Lipton Toyota, though were he still alive, Robert Lipton probably would not recognize the store.
"It's really a nice place to go now," says Steve Jensen, president of Lipton Toyota.
Along with the physical appearance of the dealership - which was enhanced dramatically just five years ago - Jensen will tell you that the way customers are treated has improved.
"We're now one of the top Toyota dealers in the country when it comes to customer service." Jensen says.
And it's not just him say saying that. Toyota has also recognized Lipton Toyota for the way it treats customers with the dealership receiving Toyota's prestigious President's Award 12 times.
"We treat customers well," said Jensen, who has been managing the day-to-day operations of the dealership since 2004.
The improvement in customer satisfaction over the last decade has an increase in sales, with Lipton
Toyota now ranked among the top 40 Toyota dealerships in the country in terms of sales volume.
Jensen believes that a lot of the success taking place at Lipton Toyota can also be attributed to its employees.
"Great dealerships start with great employees," Jensen said.
At Lipton Toyota, customers find service writers and technicians, as well as sales associates, who have been with the dealership for as long as 20 years.
Along with loyal employees comes loyal customers, who keep coming back to the same service writer or the same sales associate.
"When you're able to retain employees, you're also able to retain customers." Jensen said.
A state-of-the-art facility and great benefits are two of the reasons why employees enjoy long-standing careers at Lipton Toyota.
In 2008 and 2009, as the recession was starting to take its toll on the auto business, Jensen and the Board of Directors of the dealership decided to go ahead with plans for a major renovation.
Over the course of two years, Lipton was transformed from a store that harkened back to the old Oakland Park Toyota days to one with the most comfortable environments of any dealership in South Florida.
The renovations, in addition to a complete remodeling of the new and used vehicle showrooms, include a brand new building housing the parts and service departments, with 58 bays, as well as a new garage. The facilities, all with state-of-the-art equipment, provides visitors with a welcoming and inviting environment, where service customers can relax in a comfortable lounge and enjoy complimentary food and beverages, and new car buyers can enjoy a spacious and brightly lit showroom.
A big part of Lipton Toyota's success story can be attributed to its commitment to the community. For years, Lipton has been a supporter of several non-profit organizations as well as of events such as the City of Oakland Park Octoberfest.
Among many organizations Lipton Toyota supports are Sheriff's Foundation of Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the American Cancer Society and the Broward County YMCA.
While much has changed, a few things have remained the same. Lipton Toyota is still at the same location, 1700 W. Oakland Park Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale, right off I-95, making it easy to get to and from Palm Beach or Miami Dade counties.
The other thing that's stayed the same is the Toyota name on the cars, vans and trucks the dealership sells.
"We're fortunate to be partners with Southeast Toyota Distributors and to carry the Toyota brand," Jensen said.
This article was written by Rich Pollack for the Sun-Sentinel.
Back then, in 1989, Lipton took over what had been Oakland Park Toyota, at the northwest corner of Interstate 95 and Oakland Park Boulevard.
Today the Fort Lauderdale dealership that is celebrating its 25th anniversary is still named Lipton Toyota, though were he still alive, Robert Lipton probably would not recognize the store.
"It's really a nice place to go now," says Steve Jensen, president of Lipton Toyota.
Along with the physical appearance of the dealership - which was enhanced dramatically just five years ago - Jensen will tell you that the way customers are treated has improved.
"We're now one of the top Toyota dealers in the country when it comes to customer service." Jensen says.
And it's not just him say saying that. Toyota has also recognized Lipton Toyota for the way it treats customers with the dealership receiving Toyota's prestigious President's Award 12 times.
"We treat customers well," said Jensen, who has been managing the day-to-day operations of the dealership since 2004.
The improvement in customer satisfaction over the last decade has an increase in sales, with Lipton Toyota now ranked among the top 40 Toyota dealerships in the country in terms of sales volume.
Jensen believes that a lot of the success taking place at Lipton Toyota can also be attributed to its employees.
"Great dealerships start with great employees," Jensen said.
At Lipton Toyota, customers find service writers and technicians, as well as sales associates, who have been with the dealership for as long as 20 years.
Along with loyal employees comes loyal customers, who keep coming back to the same service writer or the same sales associate.
"When you're able to retain employees, you're also able to retain customers." Jensen said.
A state-of-the-art facility and great benefits are two of the reasons why employees enjoy long-standing careers at Lipton Toyota.
In 2008 and 2009, as the recession was starting to take its toll on the auto business, Jensen and the Board of Directors of the dealership decided to go ahead with plans for a major renovation.
Over the course of two years, Lipton was transformed from a store that harkened back to the old Oakland Park Toyota days to one with the most comfortable environments of any dealership in South Florida.
The renovations, in addition to a complete remodeling of the new and used vehicle showrooms, include a brand new building housing the parts and service departments, with 58 bays, as well as a new garage. The facilities, all with state-of-the-art equipment, provides visitors with a welcoming and inviting environment, where service customers can relax in a comfortable lounge and enjoy complimentary food and beverages, and new car buyers can enjoy a spacious and brightly lit showroom.
A big part of Lipton Toyota's success story can be attributed to its commitment to the community. For years, Lipton has been a supporter of several non-profit organizations as well as of events such as the City of Oakland Park Octoberfest.
Among many organizations Lipton Toyota supports are Sheriff's Foundation of Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the American Cancer Society and the Broward County YMCA.
While much has changed, a few things have remained the same. Lipton Toyota is still at the same location, 1700 W. Oakland Park Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale, right off I-95, making it easy to get to and from Palm Beach or Miami Dade counties.
The other thing that's stayed the same is the Toyota name on the cars, vans and trucks the dealership sells.
"We're fortunate to be partners with Southeast Toyota Distributors and to carry the Toyota brand," Jensen said.
