Motus expands footprint with first Mahindra dealer in Tygervalley
Motus Retail has officially opened its first dedicated Mahindra dealership in the Western Cape, located in Tygervalley. Martin Smit will lead the team as Dealer Principal.
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The launch comes at a pivotal moment in the global automotive landscape, where consumer preferences are shifting rapidly. Value-driven mobility is redefining what customers expect from modern vehicles, the Group says.
While much of the current narrative has centred on the rise of Chinese automotive brands, Mahindra’s steady ascent presents a compelling alternative, one grounded in durability, heritage, and proven performance across global markets.
“Strategically, this marks our first step in building a meaningful partnership with Mahindra,” says Riaan van Rensburg, Western Cape Franchise Executive at Motus Retail. “We are aligning our portfolio to reflect where the market is moving, strengthening our OEM relationships and positioning Motus Retail as the partner of choice for high-growth brands.”
The Dealer Principal, Martin Smit, at the opening of the dealership.
He adds that the timing is deliberate: “Mahindra has moved beyond ‘emerging’ status and is now a proven, fast-growing brand. With strong product momentum and clear expansion plans over the coming years, this investment aligns directly with rising consumer demand in this segment.”
The new Tygervalley dealership has been designed to deliver a full-service, end-to-end customer experience, from sales through to aftersales support, reflecting Motus Retail’s commitment to operational excellence and customer-centricity.
The showroom features Mahindra’s latest range of SUVs and bakkies, which continue to gain traction among South African consumers for their robustness, affordability, and growing brand confidence.
“Consumer expectations have fundamentally shifted,” Riaan continues. “Value remains critical, but so does the full ownership experience. Customers today expect high levels of quality, service, and features, regardless of price point. Mahindra is well positioned to meet that demand, offering a balance of affordability and specification.”
“New entrants have reset expectations around pricing and features, but Mahindra holds a unique advantage, it is not new, it is already trusted,” says Riaan. “The brand has taken a consistent, long-term approach to improving product quality and value, which allows it to compete strongly while maintaining credibility with customers.”
The decision to establish the dealership in Tygervalley reflects both market demand and strategic location planning.
“Tygervalley has evolved into a key automotive hub, supported by strong growth in surrounding areas such as Kuilsriver and Brackenfell,” he explains. “Our existing footprint was no longer sufficient to meet demand, making this a natural expansion point for the brand.”
Motus Retail anticipates that Mahindra will play an increasingly important role in its portfolio over the coming years.
“We see Mahindra becoming a top five-volume contributor within our portfolio,” he adds. “It offers strong upside across new vehicle sales, aftersales, and pre-owned, making it a highly complementary and strategic brand for our business.”
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