Auto China 2026 promises to be milestone event
Auto China 2026 marks another milestone in the evolution of an event that has tracked China’s rise from emerging market to global automotive powerhouse.
- Industry News
- 16 April 2026
Mahindra South Africa held its Dealer Conference 2025 in Dubai with a focus on strengthening dealer partnerships, enhancing the customer experience and shaping the future together.
The event also served to honour the dealers who represent the brand across South Africa with their commitment that continues to drive Mahindra forward.
The dealer conference follows shortly after Mahindra South Africa inaugurated its new, purpose-built Vehicle Assembly Facility at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in KwaZulu-Natal, marking a major step in the brand’s journey as it enters its third decade in the country.
The Durban facility has the capacity to assemble over 1 000 Pik Up single- and double-cab models a month, with the ability to scale further as demand grows. It also offers the flexibility to accommodate new models Mahindra plans to introduce in the coming years, alongside an increasing level of locally sourced components.
Highlights of some of the top awards presented to dealers and dealer groups at the conference in Dubai, include:
Dealer of the Year:
Large: Mahindra East Rand
Medium: Mahindra Nelspruit
Small: Mahindra Heidelberg and Mahindra Humansdorp
Group of the Year:
Large: Mahindra Centurion and Penta
Medium: Mahindra Edenvale
Small: Mahindra PTA North
Best in Mahindra Wesbank Finance:
Large: Mahindra East Rand
Medium: Mahindra Nelspruit
Small: Mahindra PTA North
Best Retail Performance:
Large: Mahindra Bloemfontein
Medium: Mahindra Ballito
Small: Mahindra Springs
Best in Accessories:
Large: Mahindra East Rand and Mahindra Windhoek
Medium: Mahindra Pietermaritzburg
Small: Mahindra Piet Retief
Since assembling its first local bakkie in 2018, Mahindra has also grown to become a top 10 best-selling brand in South Africa. According to the official sales statistics from naamsa, the industry business council, Mahindra is one of the three fastest-growing brands in the seven years since opening the plant.
Statistics from the business council also showed that Mahindra was the fastest-growing brand overall in the past financial year (April 2024 to March 2025), the brand with the strongest start to 2025 and the overall fastest-growing brand in the 2025 calendar year to date.
Auto China 2026 marks another milestone in the evolution of an event that has tracked China’s rise from emerging market to global automotive powerhouse.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa is expanding its Hyundai Grand i10 range with the introduction of a new Executive derivative, as competition intensifies in the price-sensitive entry-level vehicle market.
Geely has launched the new Geely Auto E2 in South Africa, adding a compact all electric hatchback to its growing local line up.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
To be named the overall Hyundai Dealer of the Year is not something that simply happens. It is the result of hard work, dedication, looking after your staff and customers, and maintaining a clear focus on your goal. That goal is to be the best.
GWM South Africa hosted its annual Dealer Conference and Dealer of the Year Awards, bringing together its national dealer network of over 100 dealerships to review performance, align on strategic priorities, and recognise outstanding achievement across the business.
LDV South Africa recently hosted its dealer conference, with representation from dealerships across the country. Among those present was Joy Zhu, Africa Regional Director for SAIC Motor International, reinforcing the brand’s global backing and commitment to growth in South Africa.