October 18 2022, Dilawri BC
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
–Martin Luther King Jr.
The Impact of the Dilawri Group of Companies
Since founding the Dilawri Group of Companies in 1985, Ajay, Kap, and Tony Dilawri have always believed that with continued success comes a continued dedication to giving back. Philanthropy is at the very backbone of the company, and always will be. This season alone, Dilawri is involved in a fundraiser for the BC Women’s Health Foundation in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it will soon play host to the Dilawri BC Charity Drive, an annual initiative that collects toys, food, and blankets for those in need during the cold winter months.
In the 37 years since the brothers began their first Honda dealership in Saskatchewan in 1985, the Dilawri Group of Companies has grown to become the largest auto group in Canada. Comprising 76 franchised dealerships representing 35 automotive brands in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec, the company remains family-owned and values-driven to this day.
With a strong belief in supporting youth and fostering communities, the Dilawris’ impact stretches far beyond automotive sales. Since 2002, The Dilawri Foundation - founded by the three brothers to oversee the family’s philanthropic activities - has donated tens of millions of dollars to causes impacting the lives of children and their families, including education, health care, mental health, and public safety. They have partnered with a variety of organizations in this pursuit, including Shania Kids Can, SickKids, and The Vancouver Public Library Foundation to provide academic support, improve pediatric healthcare, and create innovative learning spaces.
In fact, the Dilawri Foundation’s $5 million donation to the Vancouver Public Library’s Central branch in 2018 remains the largest donation to a public library in Canadian history. There, the Dilawri Foundation supported the reimagining of 3,000 square feet at the W Georgia Street location with new activity zones for children of all ages, enhanced resources for childhood education programs, and more—all with the goal of enriching the lives of the estimated 30,000 children that borrow from the library each year.
In 2021, Ajay was awarded with the province’s highest form of recognition, the Order of British Columbia, for his significant and far-reaching impacts provincially. In addition to being a visionary leader and entrepreneur, Ajay’s vast commercial real estate holdings and successful businesses single-handedly contribute millions of dollars to the province’s economy each year.
He continues to strive to make lives better for people living in British Columbia and has committed to fighting climate change and creating a greener future through significant investment into the development of electric vehicles.
While Kap and Tony each oversee operations in Ontario and Alberta respectively, Ajay Dilawri resides and works in British Columbia, where he supports more than half of the group’s 4,000+ employees at the 23 BC dealerships located dealerships in Langley, North Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, and Vancouver.
The Dilawri Group of Companies is a central pillar of the Canadian automotive industry. With its commitment to offering world class products and excellent customer service throughout their dealer network, in addition to their tremendous philanthropic efforts, Dilawri looks to stand strong well into the future.
