Tiger Wheel & Tyre Owner Secures Japanese Investment to Support Regional Growth
Tiger Wheel & Tyre Owner Secures Japanese Investment to Support Regional Growth. TiAuto Investments, the Southern African automotive aftermarket group behind Tiger Wheel & Tyre, Tyres & More and Treads Unlimited, has entered into an agreement with Japanese trading and investment company Marubeni Corporation in a transaction aimed at supporting the company’s future growth plans.
The deal marks Marubeni Corporation’s first investment in Africa’s automotive maintenance sector and represents a significant international investment in one of Southern Africa’s largest automotive service groups.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions before it can be finalised.
Founded in 1967, TiAuto has grown into a major player in the region’s automotive aftermarket industry. The company operates 161 stores across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia through its portfolio of well-known retail and service brands.
The group provides a range of automotive products and services, including tyres, wheels, batteries and vehicle maintenance solutions through its retail, wholesale and service networks.
According to TiAuto, the partnership is expected to combine the company’s local market expertise with Marubeni’s international experience in automotive maintenance and related industries.
Marubeni is a global trading and investment company with automotive maintenance operations in several countries across Asia and Latin America. The company said the investment reflects confidence in both TiAuto’s business model and the long-term prospects of the Southern African automotive market.
TiAuto chief executive Alex Taplin said the agreement will provide the business with access to additional resources and international expertise while maintaining its existing operational structure.
The company emphasised that its brands, customer offering and day-to-day operations will remain unchanged following completion of the transaction.
The investment comes at a time when international investors continue to show interest in established businesses operating across Southern Africa. For TiAuto, the partnership is expected to support its next phase of growth while strengthening its ability to serve customers across the region.
The company said the focus remains on expanding and enhancing its service offering while continuing to support motorists through its extensive retail and service network.
As one of the region’s largest automotive aftermarket operators, TiAuto has built a presence across multiple Southern African markets over several decades. The addition of Marubeni as a strategic investor is expected to provide the group with access to global insights and experience gained from automotive maintenance operations in other international markets.
