BestDrive Continues Expansion Across Southern Africa

BestDrive, the franchise tyre retail fitment division of Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA), is one of the fastest-growing networks in Southern Africa and currently operates in six Southern Africa countries, comprising South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.

Already a leading fitment network in South Africa, BestDrive opened two stores in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare, in 2018, along with one in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Another BestDrive will open its doors to the public in Swakopmund by the end of April this year. The BestDrive network also continues to grow in South Africa, having recently opened stores in Tembisa on the East Rand and Theunissen in the Free State.

“The BestDrive network is expanding aggressively in a tough retail market, and we currently have a total of 149 BestDrive dealers in Southern Africa, who have diversified and adapted to the needs of the consumer by providing solutions not only for their tyres, but also to service other vehicle requirements such as shock absorbers, brakes and batteries,” says Robert Harris, Head of Franchise at ContiTrade Africa, a division of CTSA.

“BestDrive is also the only fitment centre network in South Africa that offers the innovative ContiSure Warranty on all replacement Continental-branded passenger car and 4×4 tyres, and this is a big benefit to all consumers, given the condition of our roads,” Harris adds.

An important focus area for BestDrive is skills development at its dealers. The company’s Regional Franchise managers facilitate and conduct a variety of training programmes in all regions. The BestDrive flagship store in Port Elizabeth is also the home of the ContiAcademy, which is a modern, state of the art facility that is used by Continental as a base to improve the skills of employees.