SOUTH Africa’s biggest automotive group, with interests in countries including Australia, has appointed Jaco Oosthuizen as CEO of Motus Australia.

He will take up his position on July 1 from his current position as managing director of Renault South Africa.

Mr Oosthuizen replaces John Johnson, current CEO of Motus Australia, who is retiring from the company on June 30, 2022.

Motus is an importer, distributor, retailer, rental provider, aftermarket parts and financial services listed company that originated in South Africa in 1948 as Imperial Holdings.

It listed as Motus in 2018 and has retail and distribution interests for 28 brands in South Africa, 21 brands in the UK and 19 brands in Australia, where it operates under business including Australian Automotive Group with dealerships in Victoria and NSW.

Mr Oosthuizen has been with the Motus brand for the past 20 years and served as managing director of Renault SA for the past five years.

Motus said he is highly commended for numerous achievements, including the growth of Renault’s market share in the current challenging circumstances, building a diverse company, facilitating employee development, and having achieved the winner of the 2018 and 2019 Partners Award Challenge, where South Africa was recognised as one of the top distributors for Renault in the world.

He will be replaced in South Africa by Shumani Tshifularo, a qualified chartered accountant who has extensive work experience spanning across various industries, including employment at Ernst & Young; Nedcor Group; Imperial Fleet Services and Saficon Industrial Equipment (Toyota Forklift).

He has assumed numerous management and leadership roles and was managing director of Toyota Forklift before joining Kia Motors as commercial director.

Mr Tshifularo joined Renault SA in July 2021 as commercial director.

By Neil Dowling