Kunene Brothers Holdings and Bidvest Automotive partner in BMW dealership

Midrand – Kunene Brothers Holdings (KBH) has announced a partnership with Bidvest Automotive in their new Sandton BMW dealership. Kunene Brothers Holdings (KBH) has a 60% shareholding in the dealership, which has been renamed Kunene Brothers Sandton.

Bidvest, which also has interests in two other BMW dealerships namely Forsdicks Pinetown BMW and Forsdicks Tygervalley BMW, stated that the decision to partner with KBH stemmed from their existing relationship with KBH, where they enjoy a good partnership in another business venture.

“We believe that the current partnership will grow to be extremely successful. Both parties bring an established business ethos built on integrity and customer satisfaction to the new venture,” says Steve Keys, CEO Bidvest Automotive. “Ultimately, Kunene Brothers Sandton will be a new business, with new shareholders offering discerning BMW customers a new proposition of refined premium service.”

The Kunene Brothers are well known for their entrepreneurial interests in the automotive industry, which started in 1997. All five of the Kunene brothers have a love for cars so it was a natural fit to include the automotive sector in their investment portfolio. The recent move into the BMW fold and extended partnership with Bidvest Automotive, highlights KBH’s intention of expanding their interests in this sector.

“Our immediate goal is to establish this BMW dealership as one of the best, most well-known and successful BMW dealerships in Gauteng. Beyond this, we envisage to expand the number of BMW dealerships we have interests in throughout the country,” says Zanosi Kunene of KBH. 

According to Kunene, the automotive industry has produced a good return on capital over the years, even during challenging times. “We are committed to the automotive industry because we believe it is and will remain one of the key pillars of the South African economy,” says Kunene.

Kunene goes on to say that KBH is proud to be associated with the BMW brand.

“It means a great deal to us, having a company like BMW South Africa believe in what we have achieved as business people in South Africa, through our active ownership model. This move also presents an opportunity for our family to develop our succession plan by having a third generation member extensively trained in the automotive field,” says Kunene.

Both Bidvest Automotive and BMW South Africa will be facilitating a rotational mentorship programme for Phumelelakahle Kunene, the son of Dudu Kunene, with the objective of training and grooming him into the role of Dealer Principal.

For any media queries, please contact: 

Mr Guy Kilfoil

General Manager: Group Communications & Public Affairs

BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Phone: +27-12-522-2204

Cell: +27-82-583-6262

Email: guy.kilfoil@bmw.co.za

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.

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