AUTOMOTIVE industry titan, founder of the Alto Group, champion race-horse breeder and a man integral to the formation of the Motor Trades Association of Australia, George Altomonte, has died at age 89 years.

In 1956 Mr Altomonte opened a workshop on the corner of Fullers Road and Pacific Highway in Chatswood, now the location of Alto North Shore Volkswagen.

The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said that his Alto Group grew to become “a significant automotive retailer, employing over 600 people, selling upwards of 12,000 vehicles annually and servicing over 65,000 vehicles per year”.

“Notably the Alto Group has been instrumental in developing industry guidelines through the establishment of the Motor Trades Association of Australia,” the AADA said.

George Altomonte

“George Altomonte was the inaugural president of the MTAA, and was honoured in 2004 with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and service to the motor industry.”

In 2017, Mr Altomonte and the Alto Group were recognised with an AADA Lifetime Achievement award for outstanding service to the industry over a long period of time.

Alto Group is among eight private Australian companies recognised for outstanding business performance in Deloitte Australia’s first Best Managed Companies awards.

The MTAA said Mr Altomonte had dedicated more than 60 years of his life to the industry and that today “the Alto Group stands as a pillar of Sydney’s retail automotive industry”.

“George became very active within the MTA NSW community when he joined as a member with Alto BMW Pennant Hills on June 29, 1964,” the MTAA said.

“As his involvement with MTA NSW grew, he served as a board member and governing councillor, eventually becoming MTA NSW president from 1984 to 1987.

“Following his presidency, George played a pivotal role in founding the Motor Trades Association of Australia and became its inaugural president in September 1988. He continued his efforts by helping to establish the MTAA Super Fund on May 21, 1989, and served on the board.

“We remember George for his dedication and contribution to the automotive industry. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and all who mourn from his passing.”

Mr Altomonte was also one of the country’s most respected racehorse breeders and his passing has been met with tributes from that industry.

Mr Altomonte’s Corumbene Stud bred Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winners Sebring (More Than Ready) and Overreach (Exceed And Excel).

“George Altomonte will be greatly missed from Australian racing, having passed away today, surrounded by his loving family,” Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse wrote on social media platform X.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys wrote: “George Altomonte was an outstanding businessman and great breeder who possessed incredible foresight.

“Among the list of George’s wonderful achievements in racing was breeding two Golden Slipper winners with Sebring and Overreach.

“He was also an astute businessman creating the Alto Group motoring company but more importantly, George was a truly great man, and a thorough gentleman who was extremely well liked in the wider racing community.

“We pass on our sincere condolences to George’s vast family and friends on his passing.”

Mr Altomonte leaves behind his children Anthony, Caterina and John: their spouses Jane and Rocco, as well as his grandchildren Carolina, Lara, Tommy, Giovanni, Emilia, Arabella and Giorgio.

A celebration of George’s life will be held at 10am on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.