Rudi Lusti, founder of Lusti Motors, moved to San Diego in 1962 where he found a job with Fritz Ofner, who owned a Porsche and Volkswagen service station. In 1964, only two years later, Lusti bought the business from Fritz Ofner. He named it Lusti Motors and bought a house in University Heights to raise his family.

Sons John and Andre Lusti began working for the family business at a young age. Once they received their business degrees from San Diego State University, Rudi sold Lusti Motors to his sons, having convinced them that, if they worked hard enough, it could provide the means to a good living.

Following their father’s advice, John and Andre took over the family business working six days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. In 1996, Lusti Motors moved to the corner of Park and El Cajon boulevards. John and Andre bought the property from Lance Dickson Motors, an independent Volvo Dealership, so they could begin selling cars and greatly expand their business.

Today Lusti Motors specializes in servicing European and Japanese cars. With the economy as it is, fewer people are buying new cars, instead repairing the cars they already own. Consequently, Lusti Motors invested more in marketing the service side of the business, which is reaching an all time high.