Mind Over Metal: A Turning Point in South Africa’s Automotive Retail Industry

South Africa’s automotive retail industry is entering a new phase. Domestic sales are picking up, but dealers still face affordability pressures, shifting consumer habits, tougher competition, and global uncertainty. All these factors are changing how cars are searched for, marketed, financed, and ultimately on the showroom floor.

That’s the backdrop for DealerCon 2026, hosted by Cars.co.za. With the theme 'Mind Over Metal', the summit is designed to help our dealer partners, OEMs, finance partners, and other retail players understand these shifts and respond with greater clarity and confidence. The 'Mind Over Metal' theme points to a real shift in the industry. It’s not just about the cars on the floor anymore. Success now depends on understanding people, using data wisely, building trust, and adapting to what customers want, whether they’re in the showroom or online.

Panel discussions such as The Used Car Squeeze, Value vs. The Brand, and The Dealership Marketing Tug-of-War will give delegates practical perspectives on protecting margins, engaging customers, and building loyalty in a challenging market.

Speakers include:

● Amasi Mwela, Managing Director, Cars.co.za

● Charl Potgieter, Managing Executive, Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance

● Billy Tom, President of Isuzu Motors SA

● Shinny Gobiyeza, Interim CEO, Naamsa

● Robert Gwerengwe, CEO, Wesbank

● Errol Levin, CEO, Weelee

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The event will close with a Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony, recognising people whose vision and leadership have shaped South Africa’s automotive retail industry.

Cars.co.za’s 2026 Industry Report: A Clearer View of What Lies Ahead

DealerCon 2026 will also see the release of the latest Cars.co.za Industry Report, offering a timely view of the forces shaping automotive retail and the broader vehicle ecosystem in South Africa.

The report will examine how consumers are feeling, what they can afford, how they are financing their vehicles and how their digital habits are changing. It will also explore dealer performance, competition between brands and the opportunities emerging as the market evolves.

More than a snapshot of where the industry stands today, the report is intended to give dealers and other automotive decision-makers practical, reliable intelligence to help them prepare for what comes next.

DealerCon 2026 will bring the industry together not only to understand the changes ahead, but to shape how it responds to them.

Event details and enquiries

Event: DealerCon 2026 Theme: Mind Over Metal Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026 Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg

Source: Briefly News