TMI Pacific P/L is the newly formed company that imports and distributes Mahindra motor vehicles in Australia. From june 2007, this associated company of the Tynan Motor Group, further added to the existing stable of eleven brands which the Sutherland Shire-based Group holds on a retail front. Michael Tynan started in business with a jewellery shop in Kogarah but he was also keenly involved in rallying. During his ten years of rallying, he was noticed by Mazda in Japan, who very soon had him into their cars. Within three months, he was offered the Mazda franchise for the Sutherland Shire, which was to be their dealership first in Australia!

Michael Tynan TMI Pacific Chairman

So it was November 1966 when Michael Tynan proudly started Tynan Motors in a service station in Sutherland. From that base the company flourished, expanding, relocating and growing to the enormous group that it is now.

The Tynan Motors Group is still a family company, into its third generation of family involvement. In 2006 it was rated 74th in BRW Magazine Top 500 Family Companies, employing well over 400 staff at six locations including multi-franchise dealerships, service centres and a tyre centre.

It gained the Honda franchise in 1971, then Subaru thirty years ago, in 1976. As shown by taking on these brands in their early, establishment days in Australia, Michael Tynan proved himself a shrewd judge of brands that would strengthen and grow.

"I could see the quality, practicality and toughness in these brands. I was delighted to take them on and grow with them, as they built in public esteem and worth."

He sees Mahindra similarly. "I'd seen Mahindra come and go in this market years ago, without really knowing why, whether it was the product or the local operation that fell short."

"What I now know is that Mahindra has been steadily developing more and better motor vehicles, not only for its enormous home market but also for export."

"The Indian market demands the same thing that Australians, especially rural and off-road users, want primarily from their working vehicles."

"They want strong, tough, reliable workhorses, with practical styling and engineering. They cannot afford to have something that's expensive or complex to repair and maintain. An Australian rural user or traveller likewise cannot afford to be let down by his vehicle."

"On top of that, at a time when the rural industry is being hit so hard, by drought, Mahindra will be very price competitive."

"The Mahindra Pik-up is just the first of what can soon build into an interesting range of vehicles…"

Michael Tynan still retains the same enthusiasm and passion he had for the business when he first started.

Added to time as a Councillor and then Mayor of Sutherland Shire on several occasions, he's served on the National Board of Calvary Health Care Services, been Chair of the National Planning and Development Committee and the President of the Calvary Kogarah Foundation.

He's also been a member of the Honda Foundation, is currently Deputy President of the NRMA and has been actively involved in the Motor Traders' Association, including as President.