Best of Zululand 2025/2026 1st Place: Automotive
Best 4x4 Accessories & Fitment Centre
AutoZone (Richards Bay)
AutoZone Richards Bay has once again proven its dominance in Zululand’s automotive industry, proudly walking away with three first-place titles in the Best of Zululand 2025/26 Readers’ Choice Awards. The store was crowned Best 4×4 Accessories & Fitment Centre, Best Battery Shop and Best Car Audio, while also securing runner-up positions in Best Automotive Parts & Accessories and Best Automotive Air Conditioning. Winning across such diverse categories shows that AutoZone Richards Bay is more than just a parts shop: it’s a one-stop destination for all automotive needs, from trusted 4×4 fitment solutions to reliable batteries and cutting-edge audio systems. Founded in the late 1980s by Selvin Maary, AutoZone Richards Bay has grown from humble beginnings as Parts King into a trusted franchise partner serving customers across KZN. Today, under the leadership of Aiden Maary, the store continues to thrive by offering extensive product ranges and personalised customer service. “We are extremely proud of our BOZ achievements,” says Aiden. “These excellent results show the character of our business client-supplier relationship. “Our BOZ achievements are held in the highest regard by us, as this shows that our community values us as much as we value them.” “We thank our loyal customers for their votes and promise to keep delivering excellence.”
Best Automotive Air-Conditioning
SME HVAC (Richards Bay)
Best Automotive Parts & Accessories
Bidvest McCarthy Toyota (Empangeni)
Best Battery Shop
AutoZone (Richards Bay)
Best Bike Shop
Suzuki Richards Bay (Richards Bay)
Suzuki Richards Bay is the number one spot in the area for snazzy new and reliable used motorbikes, as well as high-quality
and trusted parts and accessories. Run by a passionate biker couple who strive to offer a personalised experience
to every customer, Suzuki Richards Bay has been voted Zululand’s Best Bike Shop.
Best Breakdown Service
Kal’s Towing & Used Spares (Empangeni)
Best Car Audio
AutoZone (Richards Bay)
Best Car Brand
Toyota
Best Car Service Centre
KTR Motors (Empangeni)
KTR Motors has been voted Zululand’s Best Car Service Centre for good reason!
They offer auto repairs, services and maintenance, with engine and gearbox
overhauls, fleet maintenance, vehicle servicing and diagnostics,
as well as a 101 point inspection as part of their trusted offerings.
Best Car Wash
Engen Richards Bay Convenience Centre (Richards Bay)
Best New Car Dealership
Bidvest McCarthy Toyota (Empangeni)
Best Diesel Pump Specialist
Zululand Diesel and Auto Services
Zululand Diesel & Auto Services continues to lead the way in diesel technology,
securing first place as Best Diesel Pump Specialist. With advanced expertise and precision
workmanship, they ensure every system runs at peak performance. Their reputation for excellence
makes them the trusted name in Zululand’s automotive industry.
Best Panel Beaters
Alpha Panelbeaters (Empangeni)
Zululand’s Best Panel Beaters, Alpha Panel Beaters, has over 35 years of experience as a
renowned automotive repair service provider. They offer comprehensive vehicle panel
beating and spray painting services. They make use of only the best products and
latest technologies to ensure their work stays top-class, with customer service to
match.
Best Tractor Dealer
Ritchie Farm Equipment (Empangeni)
Best Truck Dealership
Powerstar Empangeni
Powerstar Empangeni strikes again as Best Truck Dealership and Best Truck Service Centre in Zululand. With over a decade
of proven service excellence, an impressive offering of highperformance heavy-duty trucks, a fully equipped workshop
and skilled after-sales team, Powerstar Empangeni is the cornerstone of the Zululand trucking industry.
Best Truck Service Centre
Powerstar Empangeni
Best Tyre Fitment Centre
Align 360 Sales and Services
Align-360 boasts the ‘Best Tyre Fitment Centre in Zululand’ title with pride. With a wide selection of tyres,
accessories and consumables, Align-360 offers convenient inhouse and mobile tyre and mechanical
services for passenger, commercial and agricultural vehicles.
Best Used Car Dealership
Maxton Motors (Empangeni)
Maxton Motors has come out on top as Zululand’s Best Used Car Dealership. Based in Empangeni, Maxton
Motors is a household name and promises to bring reliable vehicles at affordable prices to the region, also
offering Buy & Sell or Park & Sell services, finance on selected vehicles and vehicle sourcing services.
