After 37 years within the car industry, Mr Erwin has called time on his career to focus on a business he created with his son.

He started in the industry working for David Reid Holden on the Main Street of Stawell.

He moved across to Ararat with the same company before starting with Toyota in 1990 when they built the new dealership where it is today, on the Western Highway.

"I worked at the abattoirs and on a farm before getting into the car industry and when the job came up I thought why not?" Mr Erwin said.

"So I did it and it obviously worked and I have been there ever since."

Mr Erwin said it was the people he met that was the most rewarding part of his role.

"I was constantly meeting people, the job was constantly different and I was doing something different every day," he said.

"I've made a lot of friends through my job.

"I put a retirement message up on social media and it was lovely to see all the comments and well wishes.

"It was nice to remember all the stories about selling people their first cars and people who had become friends over time."

Mr Erwin said the hardest thing about his job was the decision to leave.

"My son and I have a property maintenance business and that's taken off more than we expected," he said.

"We're doing tree removal, stumps, cleaning, mowing - pretty much everything.

"It's come to a head. I've been working evenings and weekends for the last couple of years."

Mr Erwin said he would miss being up to date with the latest technology that was brought out with each new car.

"I'll still go down (to the dealership) from time to time and keep in touch," he said.

"Technology and safety in cars have changed so much over the past three decades.

"Safety in particular. Years ago there were no airbags, abs and things like that.

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"Nowadays you wouldn't consider putting your child in a car that doesn't have those safety features."

With technology enhancing the driver experiences, Mr Erwin said he believed some new features could turn into hazards.

"Cars can almost drive themselves now with lots of things taken away from the driver," he said.

"I don't know if everything that's coming on board in new cars is a good thing. People can easily lose concentration.

"That's what I believe - maybe I'm just getting old."

Over the years Mr Erwin participated in many courses and seminars and was lucky enough to meet race car drivers and high profile identities within the car industry.

Mr Erwin said over the years his biggest supporter was his wife Angela and thanked her for her encouragement.

"I've worked under many different owners throughout my career," he said.

"Now Toyota is owned by the Taylor family who is fantastic.

"It's good to see the dealership is owned by a family-owned business again which is how I think it should be in a small town and community."