In anticipation of DealerCon 2025, Brandon Cohen (photo), Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) of South Africa, emphasised the critical role of the upcoming summit in empowering automotive dealers amid significant market shifts.
Speaking from the Cars.co.za studio in Johannesburg, Brandon underscored DealerCon's unique position as an industry event focused on dealer-centric content, a departure from the current launch-dominated landscape.
He highlighted the primary challenge facing South African dealers: the financial constraints of consumers. However, he identified substantial opportunities emerging from the expansion of Chinese automotive brands into the South African market, new approaches from traditional brands and the increased availability of stock in the used car sector.
Brandon referenced the NADA Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) survey, which consistently shows strong performance for Chinese brands among South African consumers. This trend is further supported by recent market analysis indicating a significant increase in market share for Chinese manufacturers, growing from 2% in 2019 to 9% by July 2024.
The influx of new Chinese brands, with nearly half of those currently active in South Africa having launched in the past year, is contributing to a highly diversified automotive offering, with over 50 different vehicle brands now present in the country. This diversification, he noted, presents a unique opportunity for consumers and dealers alike.
NADA plays a crucial role in supporting dealers and serving the consumer by promoting trust and transparency within the industry. As purchasing a vehicle is one of the most significant investments a consumer can make, NADA advocates for every transaction to be handled with the utmost professionalism and care. The association acts as a vital safeguard for dealers, protecting them from opportunistic players and ensuring ethical practices.
A key initiative in this regard is NADA's formalised partnership with Absa. This collaboration aims to address and overcome challenges related to accessing finance for dealer members, ultimately streamlining the purchasing process for consumers.
Brandon encouraged dealers to attend DealerCon 2025 to gain invaluable insights, knowledge and power. He concluded by highlighting the changing nature of customer interactions, noting that today's consumers were highly informed and could exhibit confirmation bias, posing new challenges for dealers in closing sales.
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You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
According to a Reuters report, China's automotive sector faces an unprecedented crisis beneath its outward success. Despite becoming the world's largest car exporter and producing global leaders like BYD and Geely, the industry is trapped in a destructive spiral threatening widespread bankruptcies.
Europe's automotive industry has issued a unified call for the European Union (EU) to recalibrate its green transition strategy, with leading manufacturers and suppliers expressing growing concerns about the feasibility of current electrification timelines and regulatory frameworks.
South African business sentiment deteriorated further in the third quarter of 2025, falling one point to reach 39, well below the long-term benchmark of 42 points, as punitive US tariffs took their toll on exporters, Reuters reported on Wednesday
