Your next car deal could come with an AI upgrade you’ll appreciate
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a vital role for customers to make the right choice when hunting for a pre-owned vehicle.
- Industry News
- 5 November 2026
South Africa’s leading online motoring platform, Cars.co.za, has just announced DealerCon 2025, a landmark industry event that is set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 17 September 2025.
DealerCon 2025 is presented by Cars.co.za in partnership with NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association), TransUnion, and naamsa | The Automotive Business Council.
“Cars.co.za has always positioned itself as the dealer partner, and DealerCon is possibly the ultimate expression of that goal,” says Amasi Mwela, Managing Director of Cars.co.za (photo). “DealerCon is set to become the premier annual gathering where South Africa’s key industry decision-makers will meet to shape the future of automotive retail.”
DealerCon 2025 will bring together the full spectrum of the automotive industry, from dealer principals and group executives to OEM leaders, fintech innovators, industry service providers and policy influencers.
This one-day conference will offer a unique platform for uncovering new business opportunities, showcasing cutting-edge innovations and sharing actionable insights that support dealer growth and success in a rapidly evolving market.
Navigating change, unlocking opportunity:
The theme of DealerCon 2025 is Shift Happens. It captures the urgency facing South Africa’s automotive retail sector as it grapples with major shifts in consumer behaviour, technology and economic conditions, both locally and globally.
In an environment where uncertainty is the new normal, dealerships are being challenged to rethink outdated models, realign with emerging market dynamics and retool for resilience. The conference aims to facilitate practical collaboration across the automotive retail value, providing the insight and alignment needed to navigate complexity and lead through change.
“The path forward can appear complex and daunting,” Amasi explains, “but periods of change also bring opportunity. DealerCon 2025 is designed to rise above this complexity and offer clear, strategic guidance and forward-thinking insights to empower South African dealerships as they navigate the next five to 10 years.”
Confirmed Speakers:
In addition to Amasi, the following speakers have already been confirmed to share their expertise at DealerCon 2025, with more announcements to follow:
Event Highlights will include:
Access Actionable Insights: Delegates will access data-driven keynotes, expert panels and actionable strategies from DealerCon 2025's top speakers.
Join the Decision-Makers: DealerCon 2025 brings together South Africa’s most influential automotive retail leaders, from dealer principals and OEM executives to fintech pioneers and policymakers.
Discuss Dealer Resilience & Agility: DealerCon offers the automotive retail industry the tools to thrive and not just survive socio-economic volatility, locally and globally.
Decode The Modern Car Buyer: DealerCon will spotlight rapidly changing consumer preferences and unpack the shifting OEM landscape that will reshape the composition of the used-car market of the future.
Walk Away with Practical Moves: DealerCon will equip delegates with insights that can be activated immediately, across sales, marketing, finance and operations.
“We will be releasing more information about the exciting speaker line-up for DealerCon 2025 in the coming weeks,” Amasi adds.
Ticketing Information:
DealerCon 2025 offers a range of ticket options designed to suit the diverse needs of the automotive retail professional. Tickets can be purchased online at https://dealercon.cars.co.za/
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a vital role for customers to make the right choice when hunting for a pre-owned vehicle.
The South African motor industry has lost one of its longstanding business figures following the passing of Jebb McIntosh, the group chief executive of Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), on Monday, 2 November 2026.
“South Africa’s automotive industry has been AGOA’s largest user, but for the sector the preference has already been largely overridden by the 25% Section 232 tariffs applied on vehicles and components. Losing AGOA adds a further cost to an industry that has already absorbed a significant shock.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw
Ford South Africa employees and dealer partners contributed more than 8 000 volunteer hours to 29 community projects during its 2026 Global Caring Month programme.
Generating an AI description for an ad quickly is useful, but the real test is whether it makes the whole process of preparing an advert easier. In this article, sponsored by AutoTrader, we look at behind the vehicle listings, tools that simplify everyday tasks could make a meaningful difference to how sales teams spend their time.
Imperial Motors Zambia, part of Motus Africa, has added UD Trucks to its dealership offering following an official launch in Lusaka on 1 October. The brand will be represented at three operational locations in Lusaka, Kitwe and Solwezi.