The automotive landscape in Gauteng gained a new player this week with the official opening of a JMC dealership in Clearwater, situated between Roodepoort and Krugersdorp with Steven Carter Smith as the new Dealer Principal.
The dealership forms part of an established multi-franchise complex, joining other well-known brands under one roof, and signals the Chinese manufacturer’s growing commitment to the South African market.
The ceremony was attended by senior executives from JMC, CFAO Mobility, and Salvador Caetano). JMC was represented by Tiangao Qiu (Chairman of the JMC Group in China), Leslie Ramsoomar (Managing Director of the Salvador Caetano Group, importer of the JMC to South Africa) and Kevin Pillay (CFAO Mobility Managing Director and owner of the Clearwater franchise-dealership) of which JMC is now a part.
Tiangao Qiu, Chairman of the JMC Group, travelled from China to mark the occasion. Addressing guests, he emphasised the strategic importance of South Africa in JMC’s global expansion plans.
“I am very happy to be here in South Africa to join the grand opening from CFAO of the JMC dealership,” he said. “South Africa is a very strategic market for us globally. We will bring more and more products to this market, ensure good quality, keep prices reasonable, and supply parts quickly.”
Tiangoa highlighted the strength of JMC’s partnerships with CFAO and Salvador Caetano, noting that collaboration was central to the company’s success. He also pointed to the brand’s phased approach: establishing itself first in the commercial vehicle sector before gradually introducing passenger cars to local buyers.
The chairman’s remarks underscored JMC’s ambition to provide “better solutions to South African customers” and to build long-term trust through service excellence. He closed his speech with a personal note of optimism: “We can do very good business in the future. Thank you and I hope everybody has good health and a good life.”
The Clearwater dealership opening marks JMC’s second overseas grand opening attended personally by Tiangoa, reflecting the importance the company places on its South African operations.
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