Last week, the Sandton Convention Centre played host to Cars.co.za DealerCon 2025, and among the standout exhibitors, DigiCars Group delivered one of the most innovative and engaging showcases of the event. As a key sponsor, the group’s exhibition seamlessly combined automotive excellence, cutting-edge technology, and human interaction, cementing its position as a forward-thinking leader in the future of automotive retail.
At the heart of the DigiCars experience was Mornine, Chery’s pioneering bipedal humanoid robot, developed in partnership with technology leader Aimoga. With a biomimetic design that mirrors human facial expressions and movement, Mornine harnesses Embodied AI and a Large Language Model (LLM) to deliver natural, human-like conversations, guidance, and customer assistance. This marks a bold step in blending artificial intelligence with the human touch in automotive retail—a vision DigiCars Group brought to life for the first time at a public South African event.
Mornine proved an instant draw, attracting record foot traffic and generating industry-wide buzz throughout the day. Complementing the humanoid robot, the AI Photo Booth gave guests the chance to transform themselves into professional racing avatars, creating share-worthy social media moments. Meanwhile, the armoured vehicle door display, complete with ballistic samples, captivated attendees and sparked engaging conversations around safety and innovation.
DealerCon 2025 also offered a rare opportunity for DigiCars’ clients and referrers to meet the leadership team in person, strengthening relationships across the automotive network. On Panel Discussion 3: “Learnings from Challengers and Disruptors”, DigiCars Group CEO Dawood Olgar shared the group’s insights on digital transformation and customer engagement:
“It’s a very exciting space to be in right now. There’s been lots of innovation and disruption, and we look forward to it and embrace it, that’s one of the reasons why we’re here today.”
Olgar emphasized the importance of connecting with customers before the sale through meaningful digital touchpoints:
“You have to connect with your clients through social media, on Google, but it can’t just be generic content. It has to be strategically placed content that resonates with the consumer. It’s about understanding the right content and who your ideal or potential customer is.”
The success of DigiCars Group at DealerCon reinforces its reputation as a trailblazer in the automotive sector, merging customer-centric experiences, AI-powered innovations, and forward-thinking retail strategies. With a strong footprint across Chery Sandton & Northcliff, Omoda Jaecoo Sandton & Melrose Arch, and Armoured Mobility, DigiCars continues to set benchmarks for customer experience, marketing innovation, and dealership excellence.
As automotive retail evolves, DigiCars Group is proving that the future is not just about selling cars—it’s about creating experiences, leveraging technology, and connecting with customers in ways that are personal, memorable, and entirely future-ready.
