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Top dealerships in BMW Group rewarded
BMW Group South Africa hosted its 2024 Retailer of the Year Awards recognising the achievements of its retail network across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands.
- Dealer News
- 20 February 2025
Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited (MBSA) announced that Mark Raine will be stepping down from his role as the Co-Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Mercedes-Benz Cars, effective 31 August 2024.
Mark will be taking up an opportunity to oversee the responsibility for Direct Sales, Omni-Channel Commerce & Data Management in Stuttgart, Germany.
“Mark's three-year tenure with us has been nothing short of exemplary, characterised by unwavering dedication and visionary leadership. We wish Mark all the best in his new position and thank him for steering our market through challenges and transformations, with his international business acumen,” commented Chairperson of Board of Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited, Wilfried Porth.
Currently Head of Marketing & Sales Mercedes-Benz Cars Singapore and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore Pte Ltd, Claudius Steinhoff (photo) will take over the role of Co-Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Claudius started his career with Mercedes-Benz in 2008 as a student at the Cooperative State University Baden-Wuerttemberg. Since 2011, he has held different roles in Treasury, Product Management and as an Executive Assistant to the Head of Region Overseas. In 2023, he completed his Global Executive MBA programme at INSEAD Business School in Singapore.
Claudius took over the responsibility as President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore (MBSG) in October 2020. During his tenure, MBSG achieved remarkable results, notably the #1 position in the total market in 2022 and the position as #1 luxury brand in 2023.
The company also successfully introduced fully electric models across every segment it serves locally, while focusing heavily on the implementation of impactful and innovative measures around the strategic pillars: Desirability, Electrification, Digitisation and Sustainability.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Claudius Steinhoff to the leadership team at Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Claudius brings vast experience and knowledge which will ensure continuity in advancing the strategic objectives for Mercedes-Benz Cars locally. Together with the Board of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, we look forward to the incredible work he will steer within the Sales, Marketing, Customer Services and Network Management portfolios,” Wilfried concluded.
Commenting on his appointment, Claudius Steinhoff said: “I am honoured to join the talented team at Mercedes-Benz South Africa, and I am eager to partner with our team and retail partners to deliver remarkable Mercedes-Moments for our customers.”
The brand new locally produced BMW X3, which is manufactured locally at BMW’s Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria for the export as well as the local market proves to be very popular.
This year will be Absa’s second year of its partnership with the 2025 Cars.co.za Awards, South Africa’s most comprehensive motoring awards programme, which recognises the best in the local new-vehicle market across 13 segments annually.
Dealerfloor recently reported that Volvo Car South Africa is restructuring its operations in the country as part of a long-term brand strategic realignment that will see the number of Volvo dealerships decrease.