The Automotive World Embraces Sustainability and Culture: An Interview with Vincenzo Santoro, Owner of Autosantoro Dealership

In the automotive world, attention to social issues is now a daily concern. Environmental sustainability is one of the most important topics when discussing a better future for the generations to come. The Autosantoro brand understands this well, which is why it has chosen to combine its passion for cars with the support of significant cultural events. We interviewed the owner, Vincenzo Santoro, who shared the behind-the-scenes details of this fascinating fusion of two seemingly distant worlds.

“Autosantoro dealership was founded in 1968 by my father, Gabriele. Even then, when creating the company, his intention was to promote the combination of automotive and ecological transition: we were among the first dealerships to bring LPG cars to southern Italy. Over the years, we have established collaborations with important car manufacturers and, for the past 40 years, we have been official Hyundai dealers. On this note, with a touch of pride, I would like to add that a few days ago we received a prestigious award: for the second consecutive year, we were named Hyundai’s Global Retailer of the Year, the best dealership in the world.”

The partnership between Hyundai and Autosantoro is strong, and their attention to social issues is also confirmed by their support for our festival, where the well-known car brand is the main sponsor. “One of the reasons we are proud to collaborate with this brand,” explains Santoro, “is that their vision is strongly focused on a green future, thanks to the wide selection of hybrid cars and the completely zero-emission range of electric vehicles. Last year, we opened the first Hyundai EV Store in Europe, entirely dedicated to the sale and service of electrified Hyundai vehicles. In addition to sales, we handle maintenance and provide a service for adapting electric vehicles for people with disabilities. The store also has 16 charging stations, 8 of which are open 24 hours a day with a 300 kW output.”

In short, for the Autosantoro team, dealing with the transition in the automotive industry does not simply mean entering the electric car market but promoting and spreading the ideals related to a new sustainable life: “We especially think about the future of our children because driving zero-emission cars already represents a significant contribution to environmental protection and an important step towards renewable energies. This is why, in our store, we invite customers to test drive an electric car, so they can personally realize the individual and collective benefits. That we have definitively embarked on this new trend is also demonstrated by government incentives, but above all by Hyundai itself, which is willing to invest additional significant resources to lower the costs of the transition.”

Vincenzo Santoro has a deep bond with Capri. “My relationship with the island began in my adolescence when I used to come here with my parents. I am very attached to these places where I have many friends and clients. The penetration of our cars here is very high, and our brand is well received. I have Capri in my heart, also because it is here that I met my wife 24 years ago; we got married here and chose to have a home here. I would love for Capri to gradually become a bastion and flag of zero-emission mobility. The first completely green island. One of my wishes, as an adopted citizen and entrepreneur, is to embrace this project, and I would, we would be ready to support the Administration in this transition.”

It is with the welfare of the island in mind that the Autosantoro brand has decided to support the That’s Amore Capri festival. “It was my friends Michela De Martino, owner of the Da Paolino restaurant, and Costanzo Porta, who told me about this initiative, which I already knew about due to the quality of the events held in previous editions. The solidarity purpose behind the festival is truly noble: to support the Soleterre Foundation, which assists pediatric oncology patients and their families. The request for a partnership flattered me and, as the Autosantoro dealership, we are willing to support them in future editions as well. In past years, I attended the festival as a spectator, but participating actively with our Autosantoro brand and Hyundai will certainly be more engaging and another opportunity to provide support in the mobility and logistics of the events, always with a green approach.”