The legend is back - VW introduces updated Golf GTI
Volkswagen will introduce the updated Golf GTI to the South African market in the last quarter of 2025. Well over 2.3 million GTIs have been sold worldwide.
- Product News
- 2 September 2025
The South African Motify Group (Pty) Ltd, an autotech company, announced that it has sold its dealer management system (DMS) business to Pinewood Technologies Group PLC (Pinewood.AI).
Since 2009, Motify has grown the Pinewood.AI system’s footprint across five countries, establishing 300+ dealer partnerships and 30+ OEM partnerships as the exclusive Southern African reseller.
Pinewood.AI's headquarters are in the UK where Pinewood.AI has a team of over 200 people serving over 30 000 global users across 21 countries, and it has long-standing partnerships with over 50 OEM brands.
The sale enables Motify to focus on its autotech products, solutions and consulting services. The Motify suite empowers motor dealers and OEMs to drive customer retention and profitability using technology. Its flagship products include AutoRetention, AutoWeb and AutoInsights.
Each tackles a critical phase of the customer and business journey to identify challenges and turn them into opportunities. Additionally, Motify’s team of experts works with its customers to design practical solutions that deliver technology benefits to the business, a statement says.
As part of the deal, Pinewood.AI has acquired the customer agreements and associates servicing the Southern African market.
“We are proud of what we have achieved with the Pinewood Automotive Intelligence™ Platform in Southern Africa, and the time is right for Pinewood.AI to take over these relationships,” says Julie Caldicott (photo), Motify’s Managing Director.
“For Motify, this positions us to transform how we work with the industry, using digital technology to turn business challenges into opportunities that drive customer retention and profit. We look forward to building on our relationships with dealers and OEMs, becoming their long-term technology partner as they navigate the next evolution of the motor industry,” she states.
“This agreement reflects Pinewood.AI’s commitment to growing its market share in the Southern African automotive market,” says Chantelle Giani, previously finance and operations director at Motify and now finance and operations director of Pinewood.AI Southern Africa.
“As part of Pinewood.AI, the South African team will continue to drive growth and unlock value for current customers, OEMs and importers through the Automotive Intelligence™ Platform. We will work closely with the team at Motify to continue building on our existing relationships and delivering exceptional value to our customers,” she says.
Volkswagen will introduce the updated Golf GTI to the South African market in the last quarter of 2025. Well over 2.3 million GTIs have been sold worldwide.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles is back in the country and has just introduced its all-new Tiago.
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) notes that August continued the positive trend for new-vehicle sales in South Africa, reflecting strong consumer demand and activity across the market.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) notes that August continued the positive trend for new-vehicle sales in South Africa, reflecting strong consumer demand and activity across the market.
Although the tariff clouds are gathering over the South African economy with serious implications for the local automotive export industry, local sales of new vehicles are soldiering on at a decent pace.
Automechanika Johannesburg successfully hosted its final CEO Breakfast for 2025 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, bringing together senior automotive industry leaders for strategic discussions as the co-located Festival of Motoring roared into life.