Axess and the Future of Mobility in Mauritius' Automotive Market

As new tax changes reshape the car market, Axess, a subsidiary of ER Group, maintains its lead with over 25% of Mauritius' new-vehicle market and a portfolio of more than 35 global brands. Its recent introduction of XPENG, a Chinese AI-driven electric vehicle brand, to the Mauritian market offers a clear signal of how the company is positioning itself at the forefront of intelligent mobility on the island. 

Stéphane Chasteau de Balyon, Managing Director of Axess, outlines the strategic thinking behind that direction and what lies ahead. 

Q1. Axess has grown steadily into a market leader in the automotive industry. Where is the business headed today? 

Axess has evolved significantly over the years. Our purpose today goes well beyond simply selling vehicles. We see ourselves as a broader mobility and automotive solutions partner, with activities spanning vehicle sales, after-sales service, spare parts, heavy machinery, pre-owned vehicles and fleet solutions. 

This year we earned ISO 9001:2015 certification from SGS, the result of months of work formalising our internal processes. Suzuki at Axess also received the Achievement Award for Top Market Share in Mauritius for FY2025 at the Suzuki Global Conference in Japan. 

As a major player in the Mauritian automotive market, our role is to anticipate how mobility is evolving rather than following market trends. That means identifying the technologies, brands, and partnerships that will shape the future, which connects directly to ER Group's 10-year strategic vision. Under the Group's Sustainable Finance Framework, we are accelerating the rollout of electric mobility solutions, from 0.9% of our sales in 2025 to a target of 10% by 2031. 

Q2. Axess already offers electric vehicles across several of its brands. How does it position itself in that space? 

We have embraced the transition to electric mobility progressively across our portfolio, with the Peugeot e-3008, the Citroën ë-C4X, and the Jaguar I-PACE. For us, electrification is not just about replacing an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor. It is part of a much wider transformation in how people interact with their vehicles. 

That transition in Mauritius needs to be driven by more than price or volume. Customers need to see tangible benefits in technology, safety, comfort, and ownership experience. That is why we take time choosing which technologies and partners to bring to market, instead of trend-chasing. XPENG joined that offering this year, a more premium brand built around intelligent, connected mobility from the ground up. 

Q3. Tell us more about that choice. Why XPENG? 

Choosing the right EV partner was very much part of our strategy of being selective rather than reactive. A company with the international stature of XPENG selects its partners carefully too, and we are proud that it chose Axess to bring the brand to Mauritius. 

What convinced us was the coherence between what XPENG set out to build and its ability to deliver on it. The company invests heavily in research and development and has built technologies internally, particularly around artificial intelligence, intelligent driving and electric powertrains. It sees the vehicle as part of a larger technology ecosystem, built around what it calls 'Physical AI', designed to improve safety and reduce the mental workload on the driver rather than innovation for its own sake. 

That philosophy shows in the G6 and X9 models, and it fits well with the standards we hold our other partners to. 

Q4. AI is redefining what mobility looks like. How is Axess keeping the pace? 

The modern vehicle is now a software-defined, connected product, where regular updates can continuously improve the driving and ownership experience. 

For Axess, that means training our employees internally across sales, customer experience, technical teams and after-sales support, so they understand the technology behind the vehicles they sell. XPENG is a useful example of where this is heading, with technologies like XPILOT assisting driving and parking, but the readiness we are building applies across our whole portfolio, not one brand. 

What matters to us is that the technology stays useful and relevant to the customer. The objective is ultimately greater safety, convenience, and ease of use. 

Q5. What can people in Mauritius expect from Axess in the coming years? 

Our focus remains on sustainable growth and stronger customer experiences across our range. Electrification is a big part of that. Alongside our existing EV offerings from Peugeot, Citroën and Jaguar, we are growing the XPENG range, with two to three more models arriving before year end, supported by a dedicated showroom we opened in August at Bagatelle Motorcity. Early sales have been strong: the first 20 units of the upcoming L03 sold before the vehicles arrived in Mauritius. 

That said, our ambition is not about adding more brands or chasing volumes. It's about giving Mauritian customers technology, safety, design and accessibility they can trust, and bringing them closer to intelligent, flexible mobility.