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
When it comes to a Dealer Management System (DMS) the market is offering tools for every aspect of a dealer’s business making it difficult to decide which bolt-ons to choose and how many to add. Or, do you look at something that has it already built-in, but you have to take what you get?
In a recent statement released to the press, Pinewood Technologies explained the difference by saying that, although bolt-on solutions may integrate to some extent, it adds to the cost and complexity of managing dealer systems. The alternative is to look for an all-in-one DMS where every module is integrated and the essential tools are built into the system, designed to work entirely in sync.
To be successful the DMS company must continually invest to close the potential gaps between the DMS and the most effective business model, making the purchase of more and more bolt-ons almost compulsory.
When common bolt-on features like workshop planning, video and document storage are built-in, it typically sync better, creating a fluid customer journey and a 360-degree view of the business.
According to Neville Briggs, Managing Director at Pinewood Technologies, having a built-in DMS where tools and business areas are synced, it is as if everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet. “Of course there are the manufacturer systems and selected third parties that will need to be integrated, but we hear from so many dealers juggling separate systems and how challenging that can be,” he said in the statement. “Cost is a huge factor, plus the inconvenience of constantly switching systems where staff need training on every system too.”
By reducing the number of bolt-ons, the dealer team no longer need to switch systems or re-key information just to carry out day-to-day tasks. For instance, the dealer principal has a clearer view with just one set of activity information to manage and can focus on creating value, rather than managing dozens of integration points and commercial relationships. More than ever, it’s on dealers to be brave and break away from old habits. If your DMS is technically behind the times and without a path to keep up, it’s impossible for you to stay on top of the game – and the more you compensate with bolt-ons, the more fragmented your processes can become.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because most large dealer groups now maintain over 20 different software systems and many are now realising that decreasing, rather than increasing this complexity, is the path to the digital future. And this means addressing the problem at its source by finding a DMS provider that’s ready for the journey.
(Pinewood Technologies implement, train and support Pinewood DMS)
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Car recalls often raise concern among owners, but the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) says recall campaigns show that manufacturers are accountable and committed to quality, safety and customer care.
Affordability is driving a structural shift in South Africa’s vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground as consumers increasingly seek competitively priced, well-equipped vehicles.
South Africa’s used car market continued to grow during the first half of 2026, despite pressure on household budgets and a 25 basis point interest rate increase in May.