Bates Motors expand to Gauteng

Bates Motors, the KwaZulu-Natal-based authorised Isuzu franchisee, has expanded into the Gauteng market.

L R Fortunate Mdanda Sipho Mdanda new owners Isuzu Truck World Kempton Park Billy Tom President and CEO Isuzu Motors SA 1800x1800

The dealer group has entered the Gauteng market through the acquisition of 100% percent of the shareholding in Isuzu Truck World in Kempton Park for an undisclosed amount.

The transaction follows the acquisition of the entire Bates Motors business by Isipho Capital Motors two years ago.

This means that both Bates Motors and Isuzu Truck World are now 100% black-owned - and 65% black women-owned - businesses.

Isipho Capital Chairwoman Fortunate Mdanda says they are pleased to increase their investment in the Isuzu brand.

“We believe the acquisition of Isuzu Truck World is a testament to our commitment to the transformation agenda in the South African automotive sector - a commitment we share with Isuzu Motors South Africa,” she says.

Isuzu Truck World, located in close proximity to the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis at the corners of Great North Road and Deodar Street in Pomona in Kempton Park, is responsible for the sales and service of Isuzu’s complete range of medium, heavy and extra-heavy trucks, busses, D-MAX bakkies and mu-X SUVs.

From left to right: Fortunate Mdanda and Sipho Mdanda - new owners Isuzu Truck World Kempton Park - with Billy Tom, President and CEO Isuzu Motors SA

The new Isuzu D-MAX bakkie will be launched early next year together with the launch of Isuzu’s next generation trucks, all of which are locally manufactured in Struandale in Gqeberha. This follows Isuzu in 2019 announcing it would be investing R1.2 billion in its next generation bakkie programme in South Africa for the South African and sub Saharan Africa markets.

The decision secured 1 000 jobs directly at Isuzu’s operations in Gqeberha and across its national and international dealer network and about 25 000 jobs at its hundreds of suppliers across the country.

The transaction between Bates Motors and Isuzu Truck World has been funded through a combination of both own equity and debt through the newly launched Automotive Investment Transformation Fund (AITF), which focuses on the acceleration of transformation in the South African automotive value chain.

Isuzu Motors South Africa is one of the seven founding automotive manufacturers of the AITF.

More Dealer News stories

Renault dealers rewarded for hard work

Renault dealers rewarded for hard work

Renault South Africa recently held its annual Dealer of the Year Awards, acknowledging great performance to the brand within the 80-strong Renault Dealer network.

  • 2 June 2025
F&I Star Reacher Awards 2025 recognise F&Is

F&I Star Reacher Awards 2025 recognise F&Is

South Africa’s top-performing Finance & Insurance (F&I) professionals in the automotive retail sector were honoured at the prestigious 2025 Lightstone Auto Star Reacher F&I Awards held this past weekend.

  • 30 May 2025
The value of your dealership

The value of your dealership

Whether you are an owner or your dealership is owned by a corporate, it always has a value. In broad terms, this value is made up of two parts. The first is the net asset value of the dealership and the second is the goodwill of the dealership. It is on this basis that most motor dealerships are bought or sold.

  • 27 May 2025