Farewell to Vic Dos Santos — 30+ Years with the Daimler Family
After more than three decades across two continents, our Service Manager, turned Warranty Manager, Vic Dos Santos has retired. Here's his story.
Vic Dos Santos' journey with Daimler started a long way from the Sunshine Coast — and took him even further before he found his way here.
Portuguese-born, Vic's path led him through South Africa and New Zealand before he eventually settled in Queensland. He completed his apprenticeship in South Africa, before his career in New Zealand began in 1994 as a qualified workshop technician with FUSO in Auckland. He spent a decade there honing his trade, before moving into a role as a van technician and later foreman.
Serendipity brought him to Queensland.
While on holiday, Vic dropped his resume at Daimler Rocklea — and left with a job offer. He spent a year in the workshop before working his way up: foreman of vans, then trucks, then warranty. In December 2013, he stepped into the role of Service Manager, a position he'd hold for over a decade before finishing up his DTSC days as our Warranty Manager.
A career of firsts.
Among his standout achievements, Vic led the conversion of Freightliner's first FL70 from left- to right-hand drive for the New Zealand market — a US-built truck reimagined for local roads.Vic puts his long career with Daimler down to the opportunities the business gave him: training, support, a management diploma, and the chance to keep progressing into new roles that kept him engaged.
On leading a team.
As Service Manager, Vic says the biggest challenge — and the biggest joy — was always the people. From 18-year-old apprentices with their own ways of learning, to the mix of work ethics and personalities across a workshop floor, Vic found it endlessly interesting. Over the years, he and his team have picked up numerous awards — though Vic is quick to point out they were never about him. "It's a reflection of the team," he says. "Without them, we wouldn't have won anything."
Family: the only thing that matters.
Vic met his wife Maria — also Portuguese — in South Africa, where he was playing squash at a club she worked at. They married in 1987 after five years together, and will celebrate 40 years of marriage next year. For their 20th anniversary, they travelled to Paris together. Today, they have six grandchildren — three boys and three girls, aged 4 to 12 — with two currently living in Portugal.
What's next.
Vic is heading back to Portugal to reconnect with his culture, his family, and the sunshine — plus a plate of his favourite dish, bacalhau (salt cod). He'll be staying at his parents' house, spending time with family, and no doubt finding time to fish.
A legendary angler.
Vic's reputation as a fisherman precedes him — colleague and close friend Terry Salesa describes him as a "tin-arse fisherman" when it comes to landing the big ones, having shared plenty of overnight fishing cruises with him over the years.
To send him off, the team gave Vic a special fishing reel for his future trips, and celebrated with a Nando's farewell party.Short in stature, big in personality — and yes, more than one person has pointed out the George Clooney resemblance — Vic will be missed by the whole DTSC and Daimler family.
Enjoy Portugal, Vic. Enjoy your family. You've earned it.
SEE FAREWELL INSTA REEL HERE
