SMH Sandton has been appointed by Stellantis SA, as its distributor in Midrand. This milestone builds on the group’s successful partnerships with Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel, and reflects Stellantis’ strategy to expand electric mobility offering in South Africa.
As part of this collaboration, a state-of-the-art Leapmotor showroom is set to open on Corner of William Nicol & Ballyclare Drives, Bryanston, alongside other Stellantis brands.
Stellantis Managing Director, Mike Whitfield, explains: “South Africa is a critical market for Stellantis, and we are fully committed to unlocking its potential through product, innovation and meaningful partnerships. The launch of Leapmotor is an exciting step for us as we introduce exciting new options for those South Africans looking to invest in new energy vehicles.”
Xin Tianshu, CEO of Leapmotor International, added: “We are committed to redefining the electric vehicle (EV) landscape by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovation. The launch of Leapmotor in South Africa, through our trusted partner Stellantis, marks another milestone in our expansion strategy. We believe their market expertise and customer dedication will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and set new standards for innovation and service.”
The initial launch introduces the Leapmotor C10 range extended energy vehicle (REEV), which combines advanced performance, bold design, and eco-conscious driving at an accessible price point.
The Leapmotor C10 REEV – state-of-the-art vehicle that combine advanced performance, bold design, and eco-conscious driving at accessible price point. This model cater to the mid-size SUV segment, appealing to a wide range of customers.
A shared aftersales facility will be operational from launch day at SMH Sandton, offering customers a seamless and integrated service experience across brands. This advanced facility will feature dedicated service bays equipped to manage maintenance, diagnostics, and services for electric and conventional vehicles – all delivered by certified experts trained to the highest international standards. The centre also includes contemporary customer lounge and comfortable amenities.
This strategic partnership reinforces Stellantis’ regional commitment to advancing innovative, clean, and inclusive mobility solutions.
Sherm
Patrice Motsepe – Founder of ARM (African Rainbow Minerals): After a successful career as a lawyer at Bowman Gilfillan, in 1997, Motsepe launched a business of his own called ARM (African Rainbow Minerals). He turned it into one of the largest mining and mineral groups in the world. Since then, he has diversified into several other key sectors, including financial services. In 2008, Motsepe became a billionaire and the first black African on the Forbes list. In 2016, he invested in a USD1 billion fund as part of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, launched by Bill Gates. He also launched a new private equity firm, African Rainbow Capital, which is focused on investing in Africa. In 2017, he was ranked as South Africa\’s fifth richest person, with a fortune exceeding R1.3 billion.