VANDERBIJLPARK — Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark has clinched the top prize in the Small Dealer category at the national Dealer of the Year awards for 2026, repeating its success from 2025, and will use Heritage Day on 24 September to launch Jaecoo’s new J5 range, including the brand’s first fully electric model for South Africa.
Young dealer, big acclaim
The Vanderbijlpark franchise, operated under the Star Motor Group banner and only open for two years, secured Gold at the national awards — a notable achievement against more established dealerships. The result was presented as proof that a new brand, supported by an experienced motor group and a committed local team, can compete with longer‑standing outlets.
"This is an incredibly proud moment for our entire team, the Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark Dealership and the Star Motor Group," said Susan Gorman, Dealer Principal. "To win Dealer of the Year once is a tremendous honour. To do it again, in only our second year of trading, tells us that the trust our customers and this community have placed in us is real, and that our team’s hard work is paying off."
Gorman invited the community to view the award as a shared achievement, saying the prize belongs to everyone who has used the dealership or referred friends. The repeat victory will be at the forefront of the dealership's publicity as it prepares for the J5 public launch.
Heritage Day launch: test drives and new‑energy models
The dealership will formally present the Jaecoo J5 BEV (battery electric vehicle) and the J5 NEV (new‑energy vehicle, including a hybrid variant) on Heritage Day. Members of the public are welcome to attend and to take free test drives on the day and afterwards, the dealership said.
The J5 BEV is Jaecoo's first fully electric model for the South African market. The specifications released by the brand for the BEV include:
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery | 58.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| Motor output | 155 kW |
| Torque | 288 Nm |
| Estimated WLTP range | up to 402 km |
The information provided by the brand describes the BEV as front‑motor driven with DC fast‑charging capability. More exact charging times, local pricing and stock availability were not published in the dealer’s announcement.
Local impact and consumer choices
For residents of Vanderbijlpark and the Vaal, the arrival of a local dealership with electric stock is a service development as much as a sales story. Test drives on Heritage Day will give potential buyers a chance to assess range and performance in local driving conditions — important considerations where daily commuting and limited charging infrastructure remain concerns for many buyers.
Dealership awards can influence consumer confidence. Repeated national recognition will help Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark build trust among buyers who may otherwise favour longer‑established brands. The local team will be hoping that the combination of an industry award and a visible EV launch drives showroom visits and service work into the future.
- Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark won Gold in the Small Dealer category for 2026, repeating its 2025 win.
- The dealer will launch the Jaecoo J5 BEV and J5 NEV on 24 September, with public test drives available.
- Key BEV specs released: 58.9 kWh LFP battery, 155 kW motor, 288 Nm torque, up to 402 km WLTP range.
Residents wanting to attend the Heritage Day launch should contact Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark for timings and test‑drive bookings. The dealership said the event is open to the public and framed as an opportunity to experience the new‑energy models first‑hand.
As Vanderbijlpark’s motor retail scene evolves, a young dealer collecting national awards and offering electric vehicles signals changing choices for drivers in the region. Whether that translates into a rapid uptake of EVs locally will hinge on pricing, after‑sales support and the growth of charging infrastructure around the Vaal.
