Cars.co.za report offers interesting insights
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
- Dealer News
- 22 September 2026
As the world unites to celebrate International Women's Day this March under the theme “Accelerate Action”, Digi Cars Group reaffirms its commitment to championing, supporting and empowering women in the automotive sector.
“At Digi Cars Group, women are not just part of the team; they are driving the business forward. From sales, after-sales, marketing, finance and operations to executive leadership, female professionals are excelling in key roles across the Group’s multiple dealerships,” says Ayesha Patel, Chief Operations Officer of Digi Cars Group, and she acknowledges the progress but emphasises that more work remains.
"The strides made by women in the automotive industry are undeniable. It’s inspiring to see more women take on leadership roles at dealership and national brand levels. However, true change starts with the culture and environment created in the workplace," Ayesha says.
Digi Cars Group has witnessed remarkable success stories, with many female cadets and entry-level employees developing into seasoned professionals managing impactful portfolios. Furthermore, our female employees’ hard work and achievements took centre stage in the Group’s annual awards, where women dominated categories such as: Sales Person of the Year, Aftersales Excellence, Fire Starters, Management Appreciation, Customer Excellence, Infinity and Beyond Award and the Legend of the Year Award.
Among these success stories is Shehnaaz Essop, a legend in automotive finance, coming out of retirement to help establish the Group’s finance division. Shehnaaz has brought decades of expertise and mentorship to those who follow in her footsteps.
As the industry evolves, Digi Cars Group says it continues to accelerate action, ensuring that more women have the opportunity to thrive, lead and shape the future of the automotive sector.
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
At the recent DealerCon 2026, hosted by Cars.co.za automotive excellence was celebrated by honouring top executives in the automotive retails industry.
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