VV-Auto's biggest independent car dealer, Kauppahuone Laakkonen, celebrated their 50th anniversary on 20 August in Joensuu. The history of the Laakkonen family enterprise is a true success story of Finnish trade makers and family enterprise.
THE LAAKKONENS HAVE BEEN SELLING VOLKSWAGENS SINCE 1960
The father, Tauno Laakkonen, who began his career in timber trade, and his son, Reino Laakkonen, founded their first car dealership business, Joensuun Autokalusto Ay, on 1 July 1960.
From the very beginning, they represented Volkswagen, which was first imported by Wihuri and since 1977, by VV-Auto Oy.
Representations of other successful brands were added over the years, with Audi and Seat among the brands imported by VV-Auto.
Autotalo Laakkonen operates car dealerships in 20 towns ranging from the Greater Helsinki area to Kajaani. The newest outlet is Autotalo Laakkonen in Kuopio selling Volkswagens and Audis, which opened after renovation in August 2010.
The first years of the Laakkonens' first car dealership coincided with the best selling years of Volkswagen Beetle. The first Volkswagen Beetles in Finland were delivered to customers in the summer of 1950.
VV-Auto's biggest independent car dealer, Autotalo Laakkonen, sells every fourth Volkswagen and every fifth Audi sold in Finland. The new Audi A1 will be available toward the end of the year.
LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENTS IN A FAMILY ENTERPRISE
The Laakkonens' first car dealership employed ten people, and now the company has more than 1,000 employees. They have succeeded in maintaining the atmosphere of a family enterprise and a good team spirit. Many employments in Autotalo Laakkonen have lasted 30 or even 40 years.
The whole Laakkonen family has been working for the enterprise. Today, the car business is managed by Tauno Laakkonen's son, Yrjö, grandson Jyrki, and granddaughter Reetta.
The Laakkonens' business has expanded from timber and car trade to new product lines. The Laakkonens own the Kytäjä estate and are almost the sole owners of Pohjois-Karjalan Kirjapaino Oy, which publishes the Karjalainen newspaper.
The next generation of car dealers is growing up. Pictured on the left side of the Volkswagen are Reetta Laakkonen's children Moonika, Markus and Matias Laine, in front are Yrjö and Merja Laakkonen's children Kalle, Emma and Ville, and on the right side of the car are Jyrki Laakkonen's children Janne, Joona and Tommi Laakkonen.
EVERY CUSTOMER IS NUMBER ONE
The Laakkonens have always been able to identify each customer's individual needs and to listen to them. These principles date back to the early days of the dealership when salesmen went from house to house travelling across regions. In the spontaneous style of typical Northern Karelia people, Laakkonen's salesmen did business where ever they met people, be it in the marketplace, forest or bank.
"We take every customer seriously. The customer is always number one to us. No matter how small their questions may be, we never overlook them. And when we serve customers with small needs, they are willing to return in bigger business too", says Yrjö Laakkonen.