Motus
- Company typePublic
- Founded1948
- HeadquartersBedfordview, South Africa
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Motus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Motus
- Legal name
- Motus Holdings Limited
- Website
- https://motus.co.za
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1948
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Motus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bedfordview
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Motus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Inventory or Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vehicle Sales (New and Pre-owned): Retail of approximately 82,000 new vehicles and 85,000 pre-owned vehicles for FY24. South Africa contributes 60% of revenue. Includes multi-franchising across 28 OEMs and 39 brands in SA.
- Vehicle Import and Distribution: Exclusive South African importer of Hyundai, Kia, Renault and Mitsubishi. Operates vehicle parc exceeding 565,000 vehicles with ~16.9% passenger only new vehicle market share in South Africa.
- Mobility Solutions - Financial Products: Industry leader in vehicle-related financial products and services. Trusted value-added products provider to approximately 700,000 vehicle owners in SA. Strategic partner to major insurers and banks.
- Vehicle Rental: Vehicle rental operations through Europcar and Tempest brands with approximately 140 branches and kiosks in Southern Africa. ~22% vehicle rental market share in SA.
- Aftermarket Parts: Distribution, wholesale and retail of parts and accessories for out-of-warranty vehicles. Southern Africa: ~539 retail outlets and agencies (120 owned stores, 419 franchisees). UK: ~181 retail outlets.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels3 records
Motus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Motus is a publicly listed South African automotive group operating across four business segments: Import and Distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles; Mobility Solutions including fleet management, financial products, and telematics; Retail and Rental through a national dealership network and vehicle rental operations; and Aftermarket Parts distribution and fitment. The company serves both retail consumers and corporate fleet operators across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Product overview
Motus is a diversified (non-manufacturing) automotive business operating across four fully integrated segments: Import and Distribution, Mobility Solutions, Retail and Rental, and Aftermarket Parts. As the exclusive South African importer of Hyundai, Kia, Renault, and Mitsubishi, Motus holds approximately 16.9% passenger vehicle market share with a vehicle parc exceeding 565,000 vehicles. The Retail and Rental segment operates approximately 327 dealerships in South Africa representing 28 OEMs and 39 brands, including recently added Asian brands (Mahindra, Tata, Haval, Honda, Suzuki) to address competitive pressures. The Mobility Solutions segment provides vehicle-related financial products and fleet management services to approximately 700,000 vehicle owners. The Aftermarket Parts segment operates the Midas and Alert Engine Parts franchise networks across Southern Africa, UK, Asia, and Europe. Vehicle rental is provided through Europcar and Tempest brands with approximately 140 branches in Southern Africa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Europcar: Vehicle rental brand operating approximately 140 branches and kiosks in Southern Africa
- Tempest
- Midas
- Alert Engine Parts
Products and services
- Vehicle Import and Distribution
- Mobility Solutions
- Retail and Rental Dealership Network
- Aftermarket Parts
Quantifiable outcome
- ~20% increase in new vehicle sales in South Africa
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Motus
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Motus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Motus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tata Motors Commercial VehiclescoreMotus holds import license for Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles re-launching Xenon and Super Ace bakkie ranges in South Africa. Tata operates SKD assembly plant with 2,200 annual capacity and 91 touchpoints across SA, Namibia, and Botswana. Plans to reintroduce Xenon before end of 2025.
- MahindracoreMotus opened dedicated Mahindra dealership in Tyger Valley. Part of multi-franchising strategy to add Asian brands as Chinese and Indian brands account for nearly half of new vehicle sales at some large dealership groups by early 2026.
- CherycoreChinese carmaker Chery has acquired Rosslyn production plant with plans for local manufacturing including electrified vehicles by 2027. Part of structural changes in SA automotive sector as Chinese brands grow from 10% to over 20% market share (2021-2025).
- Omoda and JaecoominorSupergroup Dealerships acquired Mbombela-based Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo dealership. Market consolidation as dealership groups secure partnerships with fast-growing Asian brands.
- Combined Motor HoldingsminorMajor SA dealership group reporting almost half of new vehicle sales now come from Chinese and Indian brands, reflecting industry-wide shift in market dynamics.
- PauacoreUK EV charging network for commercial vehicles. Partnerships with Motus (DAF Trucks dealers) and Ford & Slater enable shared electric truck charging at depot sites across the UK through Paua's network. Supports transition to electric commercial vehicles in UK market.
- DAF Trucks (Motus UK)coreMotus operates as DAF Trucks dealers in the UK, providing commercial vehicle sales and now expanded to include shared EV depot charging infrastructure through Paua partnership.
- Ford & SlaterminorUK commercial vehicle dealer partnered with Paua for shared EV depot charging alongside Motus. DAF Trucks dealers network expansion for electric commercial vehicles.
- Hyundai Automotive South AfricacoreMotus Holdings is the distributor of Hyundai vehicles in South Africa. Hyundai celebrating 800,000 vehicles sold over 25 years as fourth-largest automotive brand (behind Toyota, Suzuki, Volkswagen). Motus directly employs 2,500 people supporting 12,500 livelihoods; operates 97 dealerships.
- Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV)coreMotus Holdings is the import license holder and exclusive distribution partner for Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles re-entering South Africa. Launched with four models (Harrier, Curvv, Punch, Tiago) through 40-60 dealerships. TMPV scaled from 170,000 units (2020) to over 560,000 units (2025) in India. Committed to local skills development and job creation.
- EuropcarcoreVehicle rental brand operated by Motus in Southern Africa. ~140 branches and kiosks. ~22% vehicle rental market share in SA.
- TempestcoreVehicle rental brand operated by Motus in Southern Africa alongside Europcar. Part of integrated retail and rental segment.
- MidasminorFranchise brand for aftermarket parts and accessories resellers in Southern Africa. Part of 419 franchisee network alongside Alert Engine Parts.
- Alert Engine PartsminorFranchise brand for specialized workshops in aftermarket parts segment. Part of 419 franchisee network alongside Midas.
Scale indicators22 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Motus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AutoCanada: North American multi-brand automotive dealership group. Comparable as a multi-franchise retail operator across passenger and commercial vehicles, providing a benchmark for capital allocation and OEM relationship management in dealer-led markets.
- Vertu Motors: UK-based automotive retailer with nationwide dealership network. Directly comparable to Motus's UK passenger dealership footprint and offers a like-for-like read on UK retail margin trends.
- Supergroup Dealerships: SA dealership group within Supergroup that has acquired Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo dealerships (Mbombela). Directly comparable as a competing SA multi-franchise retailer pursuing the same Asian brand strategy.
- Zeda Limited: South African vehicle distribution, rental and aftermarket business (formerly Imperial Logistics automotive). Directly comparable as an SA-based automotive distributor, rental operator, and parts distributor competing in the same segments.
- Combined Motor Holdings: Major South African automotive dealership group representing multiple OEMs including Chinese and Indian brands. Comparable as a direct competitor in SA multi-franchise automotive retail and the same market dynamics of Chinese brand disruption.
- Pendragon: UK automotive retailer (now operating as Pinewood Technologies). Comparable for Motus's ~128 UK dealerships and represents similar dynamics in UK dealer consolidation and OEM relationships.
- Eagers Automotive: Australia's largest automotive retailer. Directly comparable for Motus's ~46 Australian dealerships and represents a like-for-like multi-brand retail business facing similar OEM transition pressures.
Regional players
- CFAO Group: Pan-African automotive and consumer goods distributor with deep presence across Sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable to Motus's Southern and East Africa footprint as a regional automotive distributor.
Broad incumbents
- Barloworld: Diversified SA industrial group with automotive, equipment and logistics operations including vehicle distribution. Comparable for SA automotive distribution scale and capital allocation profile, though broader in scope than Motus.
- Inchcape plc: Global automotive distributor present across multiple emerging markets. Comparable for Motus's exclusive importer/distributor model with Hyundai/Kia/Renault/Mitsubishi and its cross-border distribution capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Motus social profiles
Digital presenceMotus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Motus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Motus subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Motus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Motus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Motus
What does Motus do?
Motus is a publicly listed South African automotive group operating across four business segments: Import and Distribution of passenger and commercial vehicles; Mobility Solutions including fleet management, financial products, and telematics; Retail and Rental through a national dealership network and vehicle rental operations; and Aftermarket Parts distribution and fitment. The company serves both retail consumers and corporate fleet operators across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Is Motus a public or private company?
Motus is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Motus founded?
Motus was founded in 1948. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Motus based?
Motus is headquartered in Bedfordview, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Motus make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Vehicle Sales (New and Pre-owned) is the primary driver. The others are vehicle Import and Distribution, mobility Solutions - Financial Products, vehicle Rental and aftermarket Parts.
Who are Motus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AutoCanada, Vertu Motors, Supergroup Dealerships, Zeda Limited, Combined Motor Holdings, Pendragon and Eagers Automotive. CFAO Group is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Barloworld and Inchcape plc.
Does Motus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Motus.