What began as a personal challenge for one teenager to buy his first car has grown into a passionate mission to redefine the car buying experience in Southern Utah.
How It All Began
At just 16 years old, Kasey Del Toro used his lawn mowing youth savings to buy his first vehicle from a local dealership on St. George Boulevard. With excitement in his heart and a smile on his face, he drove off in a Chevrolet S10 pickup—only to watch the temperature gauge climb into the red zone within a few miles. The truck began to overheat on the way home.
Once home, Kasey called the dealership. The response? A blunt, “What are you going to do about it? It’s your truck.” That moment of disappointment planted the seed that there must be a better way to—an auto buying experience rooted in fairness, empathy, and trust.
The Road to Something Greater
Determined to make a difference, Kasey began teaching himself about vehicles. After a couple more unfortunate vehicle purchases, he dove into hands-on learning: replacing alternators, batteries, headlights, and learning the ropes. He enrolled in his high school’s auto shop classes, where his enthusiasm earned him a position as the teacher’s aide.
Over time, Kasey developed valuable relationships with local banks and repossession yards. One lender entrusted him with a few dozen vehicles—hiring him to repair, detail, and sell them. This was more than a job; it was the beginning of a dream he’d hoped for.
After selling 50+ vehicles for this local auto lender, Kasey took the leap. In 2008, he officially formed a business entity, driven by a mission to pair integrity and reliability to the auto industry.
Founding Auto Passion Team
Starting small—with just a dozen vehicles and a detailing business called “Trophy Detailing”—Kasey worked tirelessly to grow. In early 2017, on a cold morning, Kasey met Fabrice Belasco an investor seeing the need to grow his small business to the next level. They discussed the risks, challenges, and potential of creating something bigger than themselves. That day, Auto Passion Team was born.
They chose a location that more than doubled their inventory, raised their signs, and began working full-force—often six days a week, with Kasey staying late and Fabrice arriving early the two battled the daily challenges that it takes for a start up business. The first year came and went with no paychecks. Financial strains and long hours tested their resolve, but never their passion.
As C.S. Lewis said,
“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.”
The turning point came when their focus shifted from profit to people—helping others succeed became the true goal. That’s when things began to change. And it was from that realization that our slogan was born: “Follow Your Passion.”
Who We Are Today
Auto Passion Team has grown into more than just a dealership. We are a family, a team, and a mission-driven organization committed to:
- Honest, transparent interactions
- Reliable, well-maintained vehicles
- Enduring relationships with our customers
- A safe and supportive environment for our employees
We believe in delivering dreams—not just cars. We aim to build long-term relationships and provide an atmosphere where customers and team members alike feel valued and heard.
Our Mission
To redefine the car buying experience by infusing genuine care into every interaction. We don’t just sell vehicles—we build lasting relationships.
A Word From the Owner
We’ve worked hard to create a business that reflects our core values of integrity, transparency, and passion in our work. My mission here outlines the responsibilities, commitments, and expectations that helps us work together with unity, urgency, and enjoyment.
We invite you to experience a family friendly and honest way of doing business—where every customer is treated with fairness and every team member is given the opportunity to thrive.
Welcome to Auto Passion Team. Let’s follow our passion—together.
— Kasey Del Toro
Owner & Founder
