Star Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark marks back-to-back national honour as it prepares to launch the all-electric Jaecoo J5 BEV and the J5 HEV on September 24, on Heritage Day.
VANDERBIJLPARK — Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark, part of the Star Motor Group, has once again been named Dealer of the Year in the Small Dealer category, taking home Gold for 2026 — a repeat of its 2025 win, and an achievement made all the more significant by the fact that the dealership has been open for just two years.
Winning the industry’s highest accolade in successive years is a rare feat for any dealership, let alone one still in its infancy. For Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark, it is confirmation that a young brand, backed by an experienced motor group and a committed local team, can compete — and win — against dealerships with far longer track records.
“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, who has led the dealership since it opened its doors two years ago. “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. This award belongs to everyone who has walked through our doors, referred a friend, or chosen to support a local business rather than looking elsewhere.”
Driving the future: J5 BEV and HEV range arrives this week
Fresh off this latest accolade, Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark is preparing to launch the new Jaecoo J5 electric and new-energy vehicle range, with the flagship all-electric J5 BEV and hybrid J5 NEV variants arriving at the dealership this week.
The launch will take place on Heritage Day, September 24, and the public is warmly invited to attend and experience the vehicles first-hand, with free test drives available on the day and beyond.
The J5 BEV, Jaecoo’s first fully electric model for South Africa, is built around:
- A 58.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery
- A front-mounted electric motor producing 155 kW and 288 Nm of torque
- An estimated WLTP range of up to 402 km
- DC fast-charging from 30% to 80% in as little as 28 minutes, at speeds of up to 130 kW
- 11 kW AC home charging capability
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing the battery to power external appliances and equipment.
Inside, the range is generously equipped, featuring leather upholstery, a 13.2-inch infotainment display, a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, a power- adjustable driver’s seat, and a powered tailgate. Standard advanced driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and autonomous emergency braking. Full specifications and pricing details for the J5 BEV and J5 SHS range are available directly from the dealership.
A brand on the rise
The win comes at a pivotal time for Omoda and Jaecoo in South Africa. Since entering the local market, the Omoda and Jaecoo brands have grown rapidly, building a reputation for design, value and increasingly sophisticated new-energy technology. Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark operates under the umbrella of the Star Motor Group, a business with 18 years of established presence in the Vaal Triangle and a long history of dealership accolades across multiple brands.
“Being part of a group with the Star Motor Group’s depth of experience has given our team the foundation to grow quickly and responsibly,” Gorman added. “Two consecutive Dealer of the Year awards, achieved this early in our journey, are a testament to what’s possible when a strong brand, a strong group and a strong local team come together.”
A thank you to the Vaal Triangle
Gorman was quick to extend her thanks beyond the showroom floor. “We want to sincerely thank the public — and especially those who continue to choose to support local businesses in the Vaal Triangle. Every test drive, every purchase and every referral has helped build this dealership into the success it is today. This Dealer of the Year award, two years running, is as much yours as it is ours.”
Members of the public are invited to join Omoda Jaecoo Vanderbijlpark at its Heritage Day launch event to view the new J5 BEV and J5 NEV models.
