Company History

The roots of the original CP Nel Motor Group started way back in the early years of the 20th Century when the legendary Colonel Charlie Nel opened a bicycle shop in Oudtshoorn. When the “Horseless Carriage” finally arrived in South Africa some years later, CPNel adapted his business to suit the motor car.

In 1930, Mr Geoff Good joined Charlie Nel and in 1932 they opened their next branch in Beaufort West. Charlie Nel relocated himself to Beaufort West due to ill health and by 1933 the partnership had dissolved due to the large distances involved.

Geoff Good then established a private business in Oudtshoorn and grew from strength to strength. CP Nel in George was established in 1934 and  the Mossel Bay branch in 1936. After the second world war the expansion of the CP Nel Group was accelerated, with a branch in Calitzdorp in 1947, the Knysna branch in 1949, a second branch in George called Mountain View and another in Mossel Bay known as Seaview Motors. Princess Street Service Station was opened in Port Elizabeth in 1956 and in 1959 branches were opened in Plettenburg Bay and the Central Garage in Oudtshoorn.

The CP Nel Group has certainly been at the service of the motoring public of the South Western Cape for over 80 years and although times have changed, the pace of life has become much faster and certain values about service have shifted, there is one value which has not been lost : that of good, old-fashioned value for money family reliability – what you would expect from a close family member.

CP Nel Motors in Mossel Bay, having first been established in the centre of town in 1936, then adjacent to the big tree which is still in place next to Pick n Pay, is a company which still today subscribes to old fashioned family values of personal service.

The CP Nel Group no longer exists as a group, as the various businesses were sold off over the years. However, in recognition of the wonderful heritage of the old CP Nel culture and tradition, the owners of the business in Mossel Bay long ago decided to retain the name.  Now located in Louis Fourie Road, de Bakke, opposite the de Bakke holiday resort, CP Nel Motors Mossel Bay enjoys the General Motors Franchises covering the products from Opel, Chevrolet and Isuzu light, medium and Heavy commercial vehicles, plus being a busy BP filling station.

Having been owned since 1989 by Gail McKeown, Gail brought additional partners into the business in early 2008, in order to take the GM franchise to the next level. In doing so, there has been a pledge not to lose any of the close personal family values of reliability and trust which have been the hallmark of this business for so many years, but to focus more strongly on modern standards of customer service.

The commitment to world class standards applies throughout the Dealership, including the vehicle sales departments, parts, Service and driveway. Visitors to the vibrant business will often testify to the fact that there is an “energy” or a “buzz” in the air, when they come onto the property.

CP Nel Motors in Mossel Bay genuinely is “Family you can Trust”.