Johannesburg, October 2026 – TiAuto Investments, the group behind Tiger Wheel & Tyre and Tyres & More®, has welcomed the SmartOps Fleet-Vodacom South Africa e-Hailing Car Investor Programme, lending its support to an initiative aimed at creating economic opportunities, supporting livelihoods and advancing the future of mobility in South Africa.

The programme brings together expertise from the automotive, financial services, technology and e-hailing sectors to make vehicle ownership more accessible and create opportunities for drivers. With plans to introduce up to 55,000 vehicles over the next 9 to 12 months, the initiative has the potential to support as many as 110,000 driver opportunities. It also targets a fleet comprising 66% electric vehicles, contributing to the shift towards more sustainable transport.

For TiAuto Investments, the initiative aligns with its longstanding focus on road safety, reliable mobility and helping motorists manage the cost of keeping their vehicles on the road.

The Group is collaborating with SmartOps Fleet around a tyre management offering designed to help fleet operators better manage costs and keep vehicles on the road. Developed in-house, the innovative solution offers an alternative to traditional once-off tyre purchases through a structured monthly subscription, providing an agreed allocation of tyres and related services over a vehicle's lease period. This approach gives fleet operators greater cost predictability, simplify administration and help reduce the financial pressures associated with vehicle maintenance.

Alex Taplin, Group CEO of TiAuto Investments, believes initiatives of this nature demonstrate how collaboration can help unlock economic opportunities.

"Every vehicle on the road represents more than just a means of transport. For many South Africans, it represents an income, a business or an opportunity to build a better future. We welcome an initiative that recognises this potential and brings together expertise from across industries to support it," says Taplin.

"At TiAuto, road safety and reliable mobility have always been central to what we do. We see an opportunity for our proposed offering to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable e-hailing sector, where keeping vehicles safely on the road is essential to protecting livelihoods."

Peter Malebye, Managing Executive for Strategic Business Development & Fintech at Vodacom South Africa, highlights the value of combining technology with practical automotive solutions.

"A sustainable e-hailing economy needs connected technology and dependable vehicles. TiAuto's proposed offering could complement Vodacom's digital capabilities and SmartOps Fleet's operational expertise by introducing structured tyre management and more predictable costs, helping protect driver livelihoods and support safer mobility," says Malebye.

Under the programme, 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 capabilities supporting the broader ecosystem.

Mahene Benzane, Founder and CEO of SmartOps, understands the importance of tyre management from his own experience in the automotive retail industry.

"As a former Tiger Wheel & Tyre franchisee, I know first-hand how important proper tyre management is to road safety and vehicle reliability. TiAuto's potential offering will bring valuable expertise to our programme, helping us manage costs, reduce avoidable downtime and keep drivers earning while supporting safer journeys," says Benzane.

As South Africa's e-hailing sector continues to grow, initiatives like this highlight the importance of collaboration in building a transport economy that is safer, more efficient and accessible.

For TiAuto Investments, supporting the initiative reflects its belief that reliable mobility is about more than keeping vehicles moving. It is also about supporting the people, businesses and communities that depend on them.

Interested investors can download the SmartsOps Fleet App or various APP stores, or by visiting https://smartopsfleet.com/investor-program/ to begin the application process.

ENDS