- TiAuto Investments supports e-hailing car investor programme.
- Up to 55 000 vehicles in 9 to 12 months.
- As many as 110 000 driver opportunities.
- Fleet target of 66% electric vehicles.
- Monthly tyre subscription proposed for fleet operators.
The group behind Tiger Wheel & Tyre and Tyres & More, TiAuto Investments, has thrown its support behind the SmartOps Fleet-Vodacom South Africa e-Hailing Car Investor Programme. The initiative aims to create economic opportunities, support livelihoods and make vehicle ownership more accessible for drivers in South Africa.
Scale of the e-hailing programme
Expertise from the automotive, financial services, technology and e-hailing sectors is combined in the scheme. Plans call for up to 55 000 vehicles to be introduced in South Africa over the next 9 to 12 months, which could support as many as 110 000 driver opportunities. The fleet target is 66% electric vehicles.
Qualifying investors can finance approved vehicles through Nedbank MFC and lease them to SmartOps Fleet, which manages drivers, insurance, maintenance and daily e-hailing operations. Vodacom South Africa provides the technology and connectivity behind the wider ecosystem.
TiAuto tyre subscription for fleet operators
TiAuto is working with SmartOps Fleet on a tyre management offering developed in-house. Instead of once-off tyre purchases, it uses a structured monthly subscription that provides an agreed allocation of tyres and related services over a vehicle’s lease period. The aim is more predictable costs, simpler administration and less financial pressure from maintenance.
Group CEO Alex Taplin said that for many South Africans a vehicle “represents an income, a business or an opportunity to build a better future.”
Vodacom and SmartOps on tyre management
Peter Malebye, Managing Executive for Strategic Business Development & Fintech at Vodacom South Africa, said: “A sustainable e-hailing economy needs connected technology and dependable vehicles.”
Mahene Benzane, Founder and CEO of SmartOps and a former Tiger Wheel & Tyre franchisee, said the offering would help the programme “manage costs, reduce avoidable downtime and keep drivers earning while supporting safer journeys.”
How investors can apply
Those interested in joining can download the SmartOps Fleet App from app stores or visit https://smartopsfleet.com/investor-program/ to begin the application process.
Supplied by QuickPic (TiAuto Investments)
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