Motus profits surge as its take-up of cheaper vehicle imports expands

Motus has reported a strong performance in the six months to end-December 2025, in what it says is an evolving global economic environment presenting both challenges and opportunities.

The automotive group is a market leader in South Africa and also has selected international offerings in the UK, Australia, Asia and Southern and East Africa.

Revenue was up 3% to R57.6 billion for the half year.

Headline earnings per share jumped 19% to 807c per share.

Operating profit rose by 8%, to R2.738 billion.

Motus declared an interim dividend of 300 cents per share, representing a 25% increase on the 240 cents per share declared in 2024. The dividend, along with share repurchases of R476 million during the period, contributed to an increase in returns for shareholders, the group says.

These results come against the background of a record year for new car sales in South Africa.

As Motus Group CEO Ockert Janse van Rensburg puts it, "when the momentum is there you'd better make sure you take advantage of it".

RELATED: December new car sales top off bumper 2025

"I think the momentum was already there at our previous financial year end in June 2025, but it certainly continued into this first half and we've been able to really translate it through some strategic focus and operational discipline into really good numbers."

Van Rensburg also highlights that Motus has been able to reduce its debt considerably in the reporting period.

He acknowledges that the group may have been slow initially in its uptake of the more affordable Chinese and Indian imports flooding the local market, but says they have caught up very fast.

"It's sometimes also about being a bit more selective about what you want, but we have made large inroads into that space... which we moved into only 18 months to two years ago."

"Being in the biggest group in the country one maybe also has an unfair advantage when you do eventually talk to these original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who are the new entrants. I suppose that, with volume aspirations, they also want to partner with us."

At the same time, Motus is not leaving their other mature brands behind, says van Rensburg.

Scroll up to the audio player to hear more from the Motus group CEO