FOR a man with the latest models of sports cars and luxury limousines in his
many showrooms and warehouses, it was the sight of a humble Toyota van that

seems to have made him happiest. This was, after all, motor magnate Karsono
Kwee's gift to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).

Together with the Rotary Club of Singapore, Mr Kwee's Eurokars Group last month
donated a Euro4-compliant Toyota Hiace Turbo Commuter van to the Tan Tock Seng
Hospital Patient Care Centre to provide logistics support for its patients.

The van is fitted with a wheelchair lifter and the interior has been modified
to accommodate two wheelchairs. The $60,000 cost of the vehicle was split
equally between Mr Kwee and the Rotary Club.

As executive chairman of the Eurokars Group of Companies, Mr Kwee holds the
franchise for Porsche, Saab, Opel, Rolls-Royce and Mini in Singapore. He also
represents four brands in Jakarta - Porsche, Saab, Rolls-Royce and BMW.

He has been actively supporting various charities since the 1990s. To date, his
Eurokars Group has given a total of $800,000 to various charities, excluding
the money raised by the various groups such as the Porsche Club Singapore.

Some charities which have received donations include the Red Cross Society,
Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, Children's Charity Association, and
MILK Fund.

The Indonesian-born businessman says it all began after witnessing poverty and
sadness early in his life.

"When I saw the poor in Indonesia, I made a promise that when my business is
stable and I can afford it, I will donate a portion of my money to society," he
explains.

While Mr Kwee and his Eurokars Group usually donate cash, this is not the first
time a vehicle has been involved.

In 2002, the group sponsored in full an ambulance for the Red Cross Society. It
was also modified to accommodate wheelchairs and was used by the society's
handicapped patients.

"I always encourage my staff, clients and business associates to support
charitable organisations by adding a charity element to the marketing
activities organised by the group," he says. "Kindness is a group value, so it
should extend to our business practices as well."