The history of Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd, exclusive representative of Toyota and Lexus, harks back to the 19^th century. In 1896, an Armenian visionary and entrepreneur, Dickran Ouzounian, found refuge in Cyprus, fleeing Ottoman rule in Dicranakert, Diyarbakir, Turkey.

A resourceful man, packed with trade DNA, he soon set up a water pump business in Nicosia, also working as a tinsmith, making and restoring metal objects, including beds and containers.

It wasn’t long before he took the first commercial leap. In 1908 he imported the well-known Raleigh bicycles to Cyprus and sold them out of his Ledras Street store. A number of similar steps followed, including the sale of Primus gas cookers, Pedigree prams, weighing scales, kerosene heaters, motorcycles, toys, furniture and other household products.

A decisive step

A top-class synergy was forged in 1920, when Dickran Ouzounian joined forces with fellow Armenian Movses Soultanian, establishing DOMS.

The TOYOTA leap forward

But what made the difference for Dickran Ouzounian came a few decades later. In 1962, Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd, received the first 20 Toyota vehicles at the Limassol port. Toyota was still a relatively small internationally unknown automaker. Three years later, the deal was signed, establishing Dickran Ouzounian as Toyota’s authorised dealer in Cyprus.

Toyota’s rise was fast, becoming one of the most reliable quality automakers globally. Coupled with the quality of service at Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd, Toyotas gradually dominated Cyprus roads. Owners are the best testament to car reliability and sales multiply, year after year.  ‘We’re even selling cars off the phone’, the company’s former sales manager Christos Papandreou said a few years back, as the popular car won over the Cypriot public with superior quality, not least because Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd managed to break down whatever negative idea Cypriots had about Japanese cars.

Toyotas in the dozens of thousands

This positive market outlook is stronger than ever, as Toyota has turned into the largest and most successful automaker in the world, with Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd in the footsteps of this success at a local level, becoming a leader in auto trading. From 1962 through to 2021, the company imported and distributed more than 75 thousand Toyota to the Cyprus market.

Toyota has steadfastly climbed to top automaking quality on a global level and has kept that spot. The same has happened locally. The global car industry was dealt a huge blow by the pandemic, but still, Toyota annual results clearly indicate the company’s resilience on many different levels. One of them is taking 12.6% of the local market, once again rising to the top of the sales chart.

E-Mobility has been around for 20 years at Toyota, providing the largest range of hybrid models. According to the latest figures, more than five thousand drivers in Cyprus have opted for Toyota hybrids, enjoying the technological advantages and benefits of electrical energy movement for up to 70% of the way, a lower maintenance cost and a unique driving experience.

As for 100% E-mobility, Toyota made a leading entry in December 2021, announcing the arrival in Cyprus of Toyota Bz4X, the first beyond zero series sub-brand. A clear statement of intent, as the company remains in the frontline of technological advancement in the automaking electrical era, exactly as it did in 1997, with the first Prius. The Toyota Bz4X is heading for sold out orders even before it reaches Cyprus, yet another mark of trust to Toyota’s electrical technology.

Landmarks

1896 Founder Dickran Ouzounian finds refuge in Cyprus from Asia Minor, aged 25. He soon launches a water pump making business.

1908 Ouzounian becomes sole distributor of Raleigh bicycles in Cyprus.

1921 The company expands further, adding Primus gas cookers and Pedigree prams to its range of products.

1951 Dickran Ouzounian becomes Ltd, adding yet more home appliances. It also launches the distribution of British motorcycles such as AHS, Matchless and Norton.

1962 The first 20 Toyota cars are imported from Japan.

1963 The first Toyota showroom opens at Omirou Avenue in Nicosia.

1965 The company becomes sole distributor, signing a deal with Toyota Motor Corporation on June 1st.

1966 The first Toyota Corolla model makes its appearance on the market, quickly growing into the most popular family car in the world, with more than 44 million global sales, based on the latest figures.

• The first service point opens in Engomi, Nicosia that same year.

1974 The company relinquishes major assets in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

1975 Against the tragic backdrop of the invasion, Ouzounian finishes construction of its headquarters at Griva Dhigeni Avenue in Nicosia.

1984 Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd inaugurates its own Larnaca showroom.

1994 A modern service point is established in Larnaca.

1995 New offices and facilities in Limassol.

1996 The company celebrates a century of success.

1997 Prius, the first mass production hybrid car makes a market appearance in Japan and is then imported to Cyprus.

2002 The first Lexus cars are imported and innovative Lexus showrooms and facilities are established in Limassol.

2010 Toyota Paphos and Paralimni facilities inaugurated.

2014 Toyota rises to no 1 in Cyprus passenger car sales, taking a 12% share of the market.

2015 Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd celebrates half a century from the signing of the first Toyota Motor Corporation contract.

2020 The Toyota Insurance programme is introduced in cooperation with the General Insurance of Cyprus.

2021 Toyota bZ4X, the first Toyota 100% electric car is introduced to Europe and Cyprus.

• That same year, Toyota Relax is implemented, extending the car guarantee to ten years.

An extensive sales network

An island wide showroom, sales and service point network in all cities and districts secures optimum client satisfaction.

Τhe Lexus

The company became a Lexus authorised dealer in 2002. The automaker was established in 1989 as a Toyota branch and soon became synonymous with luxury road travel and technical artistry. Lexus are advanced technology, high quality vehicles, exhibited at the Nicosia Lexus Centre, a modern building responding to the luxury and elegance of Nexus.

Guinness records

Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest Toyota cars parade in 2015, when it organised an event in Nicosia celebrating 50 years of cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation. It invited Toyota owners in Cyprus to gather with their vehicles at a Nicosia area.

742 drivers took part on June 7 at the GSP stadium, completing a 3.8-kilometre course. The previous record was held by Toyota Denmark with 426 vehicles.

Corporate social responsibility

During such tough times, the company, also being Toyota Cyprus, has reinforced its corporate social responsibility actions and events. It continues to support the Start Your Impossible programme, set up in 2018 for Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes.

It also implements Toyota international social responsibility actions, such as the ambitious Beyond Zero programme, a commitment of contribution towards reducing carbon emissions; supporting a world with freedom of movement through Toyota’s innovation and advanced technology.

The Ouzounian 4th generation

A fourth generation Ouzounian has firmly held the company’s wheel for a number of years. Dickran is the founder’s great grandson, succeeding Aram.D.Ouzounian and Stephan.A.Ouzounian respectively.

Dickran Ouzounian, current president and executive director, graduated with an LLB from London Metropolitan University in 1987 and specialised as Barrister at Law at London’s Inner Temple in 1988.

That same year he joined Inchcape PLC, an international commercial public conglomerate in the UK. It was an experience that gave him the opportunity to work for a number of automakers, including Austin Rover, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Lotus and Toyota.

Ouzounian returned to Cyprus in 1990 and joined the company as director general. In 2001 he was appointed executive director and took on the presidency in 2010.

Frozen in time

The Turkish invasion and subsequent occupation of almost 40% of Republic of Cyprus territory, affected everyone. Dickran Ouzounian and Co.Ltd were no exception as they lost access to offices and facilities on the northern part of the island.

But the real story are the 51 Toyota cars trapped in the capital’s no man’s land since 1974. New at the time, they have gathered history and division dust at a green line basement ever since.

The Japanese imported vehicles had just arrived in Nicosia through the Famagusta port and were set to be transported to the company’s storage area. Their mileometer froze at 37, the distance travelled from port of entry to the capital. Despite the company’s best efforts, it hasn’t been possible to release them, restore them as vintage cars and set up an exhibition.