The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) once again delivered a standout experience at its annual conference on 12 March.
Over the years, the event has earned a reputation as a benchmark in the automotive industry, known not only for its smooth and professional execution but also for consistently presenting compelling, relevant and thought-provoking speakers.
NADA Connect 2026 carried the theme, Amplify Your Impact, and placed strong emphasis on the power of social media content and the rapidly evolving influence of artificial intelligence. Around 600 delegates attended the event and heard from a distinguished line-up that included Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) CEO Ipeleng Mabusela, Chery CEO Tony Liu, WeBuyCars Deputy CEO Dr Wynand Beukes and artificial intelligence (AI) strategist Dean Furman. The programme also featured an engaging interactive discussion with young influencers, hosted by Phillippa McCann-Davies.
Ipeleng brought welcome good news to the room, reassuring delegates that although the automotive aftermarket is not entirely shielded from global disruptions such as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, it continues to demonstrate impressive resilience. He also shared a range of valuable industry statistics drawn from the RMI’s extensive research and data resources.
Tony offered a vivid and energising perspective on the Chery brand and the broader automotive sector. He emphasised that Chery’s ambition extends far beyond being a Chinese manufacturer operating in South Africa. The company aims to integrate fully into the local market and, in his words, strives to become a South African citizen.
Dean Furman, regarded as one of Africa’s leading innovation thinkers and CEO of 1064 Degrees, provided delegates with practical tools for elevating their use of artificial intelligence. He demonstrated how dealerships can integrate AI to achieve results that were once only attainable through costly marketing agencies.
Following Dean, Wynand illustrated how WeBuyCars has adopted AI to further refine and strengthen its already well established and industry shifting business model. His presentation highlighted the tangible benefits of AI when applied with clear purpose and thoughtful execution.
The event also saw NADA pay tribute to its former Director, Gary McCraw, acknowledging his decades long contribution to the automotive sector and celebrating his lasting impact on the industry.
At the NADA Connect 2026 conference, the Deputy CEO of WeBuyCars, Dr Wynand Beukes, took the stage to share what he called “our story, not the right story or the wrong story, just ours”.
South African innovation leader and founding CEO of 1064 Degrees, Dean Furman, delivered a high energy wake up call to the automotive retail sector at the National Automobile Dealers’ Association’s (NADA) Connect 2026 conference, urging companies to stop treating artificial intelligence as futuristic and start treating it as fundamental.
Rola Toyota Somerset West picked up the top award as Dealer of the Year at the manufacture’s awards held last under the theme, Challenge and Innovate.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
South African innovation leader and founding CEO of 1064 Degrees, Dean Furman, delivered a high energy wake up call to the automotive retail sector at the National Automobile Dealers’ Association’s (NADA) Connect 2026 conference, urging companies to stop treating artificial intelligence as futuristic and start treating it as fundamental.
Events unfolding in the Middle East, combined with disruptions to oil shipping routes, have once again highlighted how dependent the world remains on crude oil and refined fuels.
A recent webinar hosted by Keyloop explored how the automotive retail sector can adapt to rapid technological change, increasing data complexity and the growing role of artificial intelligence. The session examined how dealers, manufacturers and mobility providers can reduce operational friction while improving customer journeys.
