Cars.co.za DealerCon 2026 takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on 17 September, bringing South Africa's automotive retail industry together for a single day focused on changing consumer behaviour and the forces reshaping the vehicle retail market.
Now in its second year, DealerCon will once again gather dealer principals, OEM executives, finance and fintech leaders, marketing specialists and other automotive industry stakeholders.
The theme for this year's event is "Mind Over Metal: Mindsets That Move Markets", reflecting the organisers' emphasis on understanding the modern vehicle buyer and how changing consumer expectations are affecting automotive retail. Cars.co.za says the event will look beyond the vehicle itself to examine how consumers think, choose and commit to a purchase.
Industry support:
DealerCon 2026 is presented by Cars.co.za, supported by naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, TransUnion, NADA South Africa and Absa Group.
Speakers include Cars.co.za's Alan Quinn (Executive: Product and Partnerships), Charl Potgieter of Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance, the Automobile Association of South Africa CEO Bobby Ramagwede, Weelee CEO Errol Levin and WesBank CEO Robert Gwerengwe.
Cars.co.za has also promoted a wider group of speakers, including Isuzu Motors South Africa President Billy Tom, broadcasters Aki Anastasiou and Fifi Peters, mind power specialist Robin Banks, naamsa interim CEO Shinny Gobiyeza and Cars.co.za Managing Director Amasi Mwela.
Industry report:
One of the key attractions will be the Cars.co.za Industry Report 2026, drawing on Cars.co.za's own market data alongside consumer and finance insights from TransUnion. Cars.co.za says delegates will have first access to the report, which is intended to provide insight into the changing South African automotive customer and the forces affecting automotive retail.
With consumer expectations changing, new vehicle brands entering the market and affordability continuing to influence purchasing decisions, DealerCon 2026 is positioned as a forum for dealers, manufacturers, financiers and other industry participants to examine how the automotive retail environment is evolving.
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