04About
Built to Make Canada Work.
VON was established to give international automotive manufacturers one accountable Canadian operating partner.
The founding group combines international automotive sourcing and import experience, established Canadian franchise-dealership operations, dealer relationships, commercial capital and decades of experience building and governing substantial Canadian businesses.
Built on Established Experience.
VON was created for a changing automotive market. The experience behind it was built over decades. The platform brings together eight years of international automotive sourcing and import operations, active Canadian vehicle-retail businesses, more than two decades of luxury-franchise dealership leadership, established dealer relationships, institutional finance exposure and extensive Canadian business-building experience.
These capabilities are being brought together around one purpose: making Canadian market entry easier to execute for international manufacturers.
The founding platform.
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01
Canadian Franchise Automotive Leadership
More than two decades of high-performing Canadian luxury-franchise dealership operations, including manufacturer-recognized retail, service and customer-experience performance.
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02
International Automotive Import Experience
Eight years of hands-on international vehicle sourcing, purchasing, logistics, importation and Canadian market delivery.
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03
Active Canadian Retail Operations
Current operating experience across Canadian used-vehicle dealerships, spanning inventory, merchandising, sales operations and customer acquisition.
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04
Dealer & Industry Relationships
Established relationships with Canadian dealer principals, automotive operators and industry participants capable of supporting market development and dealer-network recruitment.
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05
International Business Access
Trusted commercial relationships across international markets, including China, supporting direct manufacturer engagement and cross-border execution.
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06
Capital, Governance & Company Building
Decades of Canadian business leadership, capital capability, governance experience and experience building substantial multi-market operating companies.
20+ Years
Canadian luxury-franchise operations
8 Years
International automotive sourcing & importing
Active Retail
Canadian dealership operations
50+ Years
Business building & governance
Leadership.
VON brings together automotive operating experience, established Canadian franchise leadership and decades of Canadian company-building, capital and governance experience.
Matthias von Sass
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Matthias founded VON to build the Canadian operating platform for international automotive manufacturers. He leads corporate strategy, manufacturer relationships and market-entry development.
Prior to VON, Matthias founded and led automotive businesses spanning international vehicle sourcing, importation and Canadian retail, building more than eight years of cross-border operating experience. Earlier in his career, he gained institutional finance exposure through internships with New York investment firms managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios.
Bruce Kirkland
Founding Partner
President & CEO, Lexus of Edmonton
Bruce brings more than two decades of Canadian luxury automotive leadership to VON. As President & CEO of Lexus of Edmonton, he has led an award-winning franchise operation spanning vehicle sales, service, parts, customer experience and manufacturer relations.
His experience gives VON the perspective of an established Canadian dealer operator with a deep understanding of manufacturer standards, retail execution, aftersales and long-term customer relationships.
Ralph Hutchinson
Founding Partner
Founder & Chairman, Hutchinson Family Holdings
Ralph is a Canadian entrepreneur and business builder with more than five decades of experience in ownership, governance and enterprise development. He founded Daytona Homes in 1993 and went on to build a substantial multi-market Western Canadian business group.
As Founder & Chairman of Hutchinson Family Holdings, Ralph brings VON extensive experience in governance, capital allocation, organizational growth and long-term commercial relationships. He was inducted into the JA Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame in 2024.
Discuss Your Canadian Objective.
Whether the objective is product readiness, Canadian distribution, dealer development or a complete market entry, VON can establish the operating path forward.