- INEOS Automotive swaps agency for dealer model in expansion with new retail and service partners
- Broader focus to take Grenadier and Quartermaster beyond retail, wildlife conservation and tourism use into new fleet territories
- Charles Van Rensburg, CEO of INEOS Kavango, appointed as new Head of Region for Automotive in South Africa
- Grenadier orders in South Africa up 22% in first half of 2026 to post new record
- Grenadier Game Viewer safari conversion to receive regional homologation
Following a record first six months of the year, INEOS Automotive in South Africa is investing to expand its retail and service footprint and has appointed a new Head of Region to drive further momentum.
A new retail strategy in South Africa will see INEOS Automotive move from agency model to a traditional dealer network, restoring pricing flexibility and a renewed commitment from the brand to work more closely with its local retail partners. An immediate result of this change is the appointment of experienced retail and service specialists, Auto Excellence, which will open new INEOS Grenadier dealerships in Stellenbosch and Centurion. In addition, authorised repairers in George and Mbombela have joined the network, offering wider service, repair and maintenance coverage for Grenadier owners.
This expansion builds on INEOS Automotive’s existing retail network, alongside long-term partners SMH Group (Sandton, Johannesburg) and SMG (Cape Town and KwaZulu Natal), two of South Africa’s largest independently owned dealer groups. These network developments come hot on the heels of a record half-year of retail sales for the brand globally (14.6%) and specifically in the South Africa market, where retail orders were up 22% year-on-year. Wholesale volumes were up 68% as retailers build up immediate delivery inventory in anticipation of an equally strong H2 2026.
A wider, more empowered footprint promotes growth beyond adventurous retail buyers. The rugged 4X4s make ideal partners in South Africa’s diverse fleet market, including defence and border patrol, rural healthcare, emergency response, mining, construction and infrastructure.
The revitalised strategy for South Africa has been led by newly appointed Head of Region, Charles Van Rensburg. He assumes this new responsibility alongside his ongoing role as CEO of INEOS Kavango, one of Africa’s most respected vehicle conversion specialists, acquired by INEOS Automotive in 2023. INEOS Kavango has been integral in the development of the Grenadier Game Viewer, which is due to be homologated in South Africa before the month-end.
The Grenadier Game Viewer is gaining recognition with some of the largest safari operators in Africa. Mantis Hiddn Lodge, a five-star luxury property nestled in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, was the first business to place an order for a Grenadier Game Viewer, with two vehicles now in action. Meanwhile, world-leading conservation and hospitality company, Wilderness, has ordered a sixth Grenadier Game Viewer to operate at its flagship camp in Mombo, with ambitions to replace its entire fleet with INEOS vehicles.
In addition to the safari operators, INEOS Kavango has supplied Grenadiers to several community and conservation outreach programmes, including Elephants Without Borders, Elephant Havens, Mkambati Matters, Deception Valley Lodge and Home for Aids Orphans. The Grenadier plays a vital role in helping each of these non-profit organisations carry out their vital work across some of the most challenging terrain in Africa.
Van Rensburg commented: “That the brand has achieved its strongest ever first-half sales in South Africa is testament to the determination of our team, including our local retail and service partners. With an expanding network and a new operating structure better serving a wider spread of customers, and the homologation of the Grenadier Game Viewer, we’ve got an excellent opportunity to build on that momentum to further grow the brand in Africa.”
Orders are now open for MY27 Grenadier, introducing South Africa to the most accomplished Grenadier yet. An upgraded climate control system that improves the performance and predictability of the heating and cooling is joined by the latest generation changes to the Bridgestone and BF Goodrich tyres. The most significant change is to the steering, which retains its peerless off-road capability, with a variable ratio now giving a tighter, firmer feeling around the central position. This increases confidence in straight line driving and overtaking while ensuring more assured, dynamic handling on sweeping roads. The turning circle has also seen a reduction of around 5% by extending the bump-stops.
Available in more than 50 markets with over 250 sales and service locations, prices for South Africa start from R1,199,999(ex-VAT) for the 2-seat Utility Wagon and R1,519,000(incl VAT) for the base Station Wagon and Quartermaster. Grenadier Game Viewer starts from R1,450,000(ex-VAT).
