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
The commercial vehicle industry has seen a complete shift in the market over the past year. Despite challenging market conditions, Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), along with its dealers and general distributors, successfully navigated the landscape to deliver great results, it says.
Under the very fitting theme “Moving beyond the ordinary”, DTSA hosted its 2024 Dealer of the Year (DOTY) event to reward and recognise excellence within its network recently.
Walking away as DTSA’s 2024 EliteClass winner and Overall Dealer of the Year was Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town, which was also the title holder in 2021 and 2022.
The Overall Dealer of the Year award is the most prestigious award at DTSA’s annual DOTY event, awarded to the dealer with the highest performance across various key performance indicators (KPIs), including meeting global dealer standards, performance targets, operational excellence, customer experience and compliance requirements.
Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town, as DTSA’s EliteClass winner, will represent DTSA at the exclusive Daimler Truck Overseas EliteClub event later this year. This prestigious event aims to honour and reward Daimler Truck’s top-performing partners globally.
Maretha Gerber, President and Group CEO of DTSA, commented: “Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town is a true example of a dealership that pursues excellence, constantly innovating, improving and exceeding expectations by truly understanding its customers’ needs. It does not aspire to be good, but to be the best, leaving its customers and stakeholders feeling valued and satisfied after every interaction. It sets the benchmark.”
She continues: “Stars shine brightest in the darkest skies, and the DTSA dealers and general distributors truly showed resilience, dedication and commitment in 2024. Thank you to our network partners for their continued partnership and congratulations once again to all the winners across the various categories.”
“Daimler Truck Financial Services had yet another successful year in 2024. Thank you to our entire dealer network; we would not be able to achieve what we do without you. Congratulations to all the winners at the 2024 DOTY and in particular Ronnies Commercial Vehicles East London for being the Best Financial Services Dealer for FUSO Trucks in 2024, as well as Orbit Commercial Vehicles Cape Town for being the Best Financial Services Dealer for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and DTSA’s 2024 EliteClass winner and Overall Dealer of the Year,” says Mike Honiball, CEO of Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa.
Award categories and winners:
Best Retail Sales Dealer for the recognition of the dealer group with consistently the highest monthly target achievement on Retail Sales:
Best Customer Service and Parts (CSP) Dealer for the recognition of the dealer with consistently the highest quarterly target achievement on parts sales and monthly service Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI):
Best CSP & Overall Bus Dealer for the recognition of the Bus Dealer with consistently the highest monthly target achievement on Parts Sales and Service CSI as well as the Bus Dealer with the highest overall monthly target achievement on Retail Sales and CSP combined:
Best Export Partner for the recognition of the Export Partners with the consistent highest monthly target achievement on Export Sales and Parts Sales:
Best Daimler Truck Financial Services Dealer for the recognition of the dealer group with consistently the highest monthly achievement on Finance Penetration:
Best TruckStore Agent for the recognition of the TruckStore Agent with consistently the highest monthly sales to target achievement:
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
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.