Who We Are
Eric Masterson, CD, BBA
John Masterson
I was born in Toronto, Canada to a Finnish mother and a Scottish father. I spent the first years of my working life serving in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Artilleryman. That taught me skills both within the trade as well as logistics, supply, transportation, administration and leadership.
After a decorated 13-year career, I was given an early retirement following injuries I sustained. I retrained by getting my transport truck license and began working as the manager of PODS moving and storage in Ottawa, Canada.
All my life I have felt a deep connection to Finland, having lived the culture since birth and visiting Finland numerous times. In 2014, after dreaming about it for years I decided to relocate to Helsinki, Finland to start a new chapter in my life. Having lived in Finland for nearly a decade now, meeting my beautiful wife here and establishing a life for us in Lohja, I can honestly say the decision to pursue life in Finland has been the best one yet. Here I also studied at the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (international business), majoring in entrepreneurship.
With these new skills combined with the previously acquired ones, I had the confidence to start my first very own vehicle import business, Masterson Motors Oy, with a passion to bring high quality North American vehicles to Finland. I strive to continue building the business into a thriving vehicle import and sales company, serving all of Finland and beyond, with pricing and service not yet seen here.
I emigrated to Canada from Scotland with my family at the age of 7. After trying various career paths, I found my calling in the automotive sales field, as the third generation in my family to do so. I live in Toronto with my Finnish-born wife, Kaarina and Eric is the oldest of our three children.
My Grandfather operated a ‘Car for Hire’ business in Perth, Scotland during the 1920’s and 1930’s, and my Great-Grandfather owned a Livery Stable business in the late 1890’s to the early 1900’s (he was a retired Cavalry Soldier, a Funeral Director and a Justice of the Peace).
My first job was selling Mazda, Alfa Romeo and Jensen cars in early 1973 in Toronto. However, I quickly moved to Ashley Motors selling British Leyland, Austin, MG, Triumph, Jaguar, and Land Rover, which remain some of my favorite cars to date.
My career now spans almost 50 years including all positions within a dealership setting from Salesman, Sales Manager, Leasing & Fleet Manager, to General Manager, with several major automotive brands such as General Motors (Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac), Ford, and Nissan.
After many years in dealerships, I moved my experience and skills from car sales to vehicle leasing. I have provided services to all clientele, from one side of Canada to the other. I held key accounts with large organizations such as the Canadian Dental Association
My area of expertise also grew from passenger cars to commercial vehicles in my position as Retail Sales & Leasing Manager for Discount Car & Truck Rentals, one of Canada’s largest car rental firms
After the recent sale of the car rental firm, I now own Mill Street Motors Ltd. specializing in commercial truck sales and leasing, and the supply of various vehicles to Masterson Motors Oy.
Eric Masterson, CD, BBA
I was born in Toronto, Canada to a Finnish mother and a Scottish father. I spent the first years of my working life serving in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Artilleryman. That taught me skills both within the trade as well as logistics, supply, transportation, administration and leadership.
After a decorated 13-year career, I was given an early retirement following injuries I sustained. I retrained by getting my transport truck license and began working as the manager of PODS moving and storage in Ottawa, Canada.
All my life I have felt a deep connection to Finland, having lived the culture since birth and visiting Finland numerous times. In 2014, after dreaming about it for years I decided to relocate to Helsinki, Finland to start a new chapter in my life. Having lived in Finland for nearly a decade now, meeting my beautiful wife here and establishing a life for us in Lohja, I can honestly say the decision to pursue life in Finland has been the best one yet. Here I also studied at the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (international business), majoring in entrepreneurship.
With these new skills combined with the previously acquired ones, I had the confidence to start my first very own vehicle import business, Masterson Motors Oy, with a passion to bring high quality North American vehicles to Finland. I strive to continue building the business into a thriving vehicle import and sales company, serving all of Finland and beyond, with pricing and service not yet seen here.
John Masterson
I emigrated to Canada from Scotland with my family at the age of 7. After trying various career paths, I found my calling in the automotive sales field, as the third generation in my family to do so. I live in Toronto with my Finnish-born wife, Kaarina and Eric is the oldest of our three children.
My Grandfather operated a ‘Car for Hire’ business in Perth, Scotland during the 1920’s and 1930’s, and my Great-Grandfather owned a Livery Stable business in the late 1890’s to the early 1900’s (he was a retired Cavalry Soldier, a Funeral Director and a Justice of the Peace).
My first job was selling Mazda, Alfa Romeo and Jensen cars in early 1973 in Toronto. However, I quickly moved to Ashley Motors selling British Leyland, Austin, MG, Triumph, Jaguar, and Land Rover, which remain some of my favorite cars to date.
My career now spans almost 50 years including all positions within a dealership setting from Salesman, Sales Manager, Leasing & Fleet Manager, to General Manager, with several major automotive brands such as General Motors (Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac), Ford, and Nissan.
After many years in dealerships, I moved my experience and skills from car sales to vehicle leasing. I have provided services to all clientele, from one side of Canada to the other. I held key accounts with large organizations such as the Canadian Dental Association
My area of expertise also grew from passenger cars to commercial vehicles in my position as Retail Sales & Leasing Manager for Discount Car & Truck Rentals, one of Canada’s largest car rental firms
After the recent sale of the car rental firm, I now own Mill Street Motors Ltd. specializing in commercial truck sales and leasing, and the supply of various vehicles to Masterson Motors Oy.