Motus Nissan is part of the Motus Retail & Rental Division, previously known as Imperial Auto, and remains Southern Africa’s largest vehicle group.
The Motus story dates back to 1946 with the opening of a motor dealership known as Barney’s Super Service Station, in downtown Johannesburg. After the successful growth of the business, the name was changed in 1964, to Imperial Motors. This original dealership laid the foundation for the Imperial Automotive retail division, which for years has been known as Imperial Auto.
In 1987 Imperial was listed on the JSE as Imperial Holdings and grew into one of South Africa’s largest diversified conglomerates.
In 2017, after a strategic portfolio realignment, the then familiar business Associated Motor Holdings and Imperial’s vehicle divisions merged into one brand, Motus.
Over the past few decades, many South African car shoppers have bought their dream car from one of Imperial’s retail dealers. In addition to the more than 70 franchised dealerships, the Imperial brand stable also holds three renowned auto retail brands in the market; Imperial Auto, Imperial Select and Auto Pedigree. This nationwide network of 356 dealerships, makes Motus SA’s largest, leading automotive retail group.
Previously known as Imperial Nissan, Motus Nissan’s journey began back in 1997 with an amalgamation of a few entities such as Schuss Nissan, Intercity & Martin Jonker.
Today there are six dealerships, which are situated in:
- Centurion
- Menlyn
- East Rand Mall
- Parow
- Tyger Valley
- Zululand
In November 2019, the new branding to Motus Nissan was proudly introduced. The name is the only real change customers will experience. The history, heritage, expertise and passion offered to customers, along with exceptional service, remains the same.
Who is Motus?
Motus was then listed on the JSE on 22 November 2018, in the specialised retail sector, following the unbundling of the Imperial Group into its two main businesses: Imperial Logistics and Motus, with the latter housing all of its automotive related activities.
It is one consolidated automotive group that combines all vehicle-related assets under one brand. It’s a diversified (non-manufacturing) business in the automotive sector with unmatched scale and scope in South Africa, with a selected International presence, primarily in the UK and Australia.
The Motus business model stretches across the automotive value chain and provides multiple customer touchpoints through the entire vehicle ownership cycle.
Although the company has a new name and brand look, it remains the automotive giant that started from humble beginnings in 1946 and has developed into the largest automotive group in South Africa. During the more than 70 years of history and tradition, the company has won the respect from industry peers, employees and customers, as a trustworthy and reputable automotive business. Customers will continue to benefit from the strength and longevity in a market where reputation does matter.