Johannesburg – Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV) has appointed Thato Magasa to lead its South African operations as the company prepares to relaunch its passenger vehicle portfolio. The announcement comes ahead of a planned August 19 launch of a new range of hatchbacks and SUVs.
Magasa, who previously served as Managing Director at Mitsubishi South Africa, was 32 when he became the youngest active MD of an automotive brand in the country in 2021. He now heads TMPV SA under Motus Holdings Ltd, the long-established automotive distributor responsible for brands such as Hyundai, Kia, Renault, and Mitsubishi. Motus has more than 20,000 employees worldwide and has operated in South Africa for over 75 years.
Tata Motors originally entered South Africa in 1977, focusing on commercial vehicles, before expanding into passenger cars in 2004 with models including the Telcoline bakkie, Indica, Indigo, and Safari SUV. The brand withdrew from the passenger and light commercial segments in 2019. The 2025 return will focus on affordable and safe SUVs, crossovers, and compact hatchbacks.
The company remains tight-lipped about the specific models set for the local market, but communications indicate a mix of modern design, innovative technology, and strong safety features. Yash Khandelwal, head of international business at TMPV, said South Africa is a key market in the company’s global expansion strategy, with competitive pricing and financing plans to follow.
Globally, Tata Motors has undergone leadership changes, including the recent appointment of PB Balaji as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, effective November 2025, following the death of former group chair Ratan Tata in October 2024, who led the conglomerate to international recognition.
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