Omoda C9 PHEV debuts in South Africa
Omoda launched a new flagship model, the C9 PHEV, a plug-in hybrid SUV, in South Africa, offering a 150km electric range and 440kW of power.
- Product News
- 9 June 2025
The Claassen family this year celebrates 23 years of Mercedes-Benz sales and service in the Helderberg, making it the longest standing family-owned Mercedes-Benz agent in the Western Cape.
More than five decades ago, a Mr MH (Kiewiet) Cloete, a farmer from Karasburg, Namibia, registered a new company, MH Cloete Enterprises, trading as Rola Motors, in 1963. He was joined by his daughter Helmine and her husband, Laurie Claassen, a schoolteacher at the time.
In 1994, when Kiewiet Cloete retired, Laurie Claassen became the sole owner of the Rola Motors company; he was joined in the business by both his sons – Theo, who had joined in 1986, and Marius in 1993. Laurie retired in 2007, leaving the company in the hands of his capable sons.
Until about ten years ago, the Mercedes-Benz dealership was based at 274 Main Road, Strand, before moving to its current state-of-the-art premises at No 1 Pacific Close in Somerset Crossing, Somerset West.
It is now a bustling dealership, selling around 50 cars a month and servicing up to 30 a day.
Laurie Claassen coined the phrase “Service is your best salesperson”, which became synonymous with Rola Motors. This has evolved into “Serve with integrity”.
Francois Botha, who was the financial manager, became Dealer Principal of Rola Mercedes-Benz in May this year.
He says in spite of the lockdown, this year is shaping up to be good for the dealership, adding “watch this space”. He is expecting great things from his team and expects to be celebrating a good 2020 when all the results are collated next year, in spite of the tragedy of the national state of disaster. He is extremely proud of the very high levels of their Customer Satisfaction Index achievements.
Botha says the ethos of service is deeply ingrained in the fibre of the dealership and is their strongest aspect. “Great service leads to success.”
Ryan Stokes and his team have been crowned the Certified Pre-owned Dealer of the Year for MBSA for the last two years with Stokes winning the Manager of the Year award.
Omoda launched a new flagship model, the C9 PHEV, a plug-in hybrid SUV, in South Africa, offering a 150km electric range and 440kW of power.
As new-energy vehicles become mainstream, drivers are placing growing importance not just on range, but on the safety of what lies beneath — the electric powertrain system that powers the journey.
UD Trucks Southern Africa, in partnership with Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), officially opened a state-of-the-art dealership facility in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.
Daniel Pink
UD Trucks Southern Africa, in partnership with Combined Motor Holdings (CMH), officially opened a state-of-the-art dealership facility in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal.
With a team that proverbially eats, sleeps and breathes Audi, it is no surprise that Audi Centre Sandton picked up the top accolade as Dealer of the Year at the German manufacturer’s Vorsprung Awards held recently.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently hosted its annual National Dealer of the Year Awards. The pivotal event marked 45 years of market leadership – a celebration of dedication and resilience of a successful partnership with the Toyota dealer network.