Gaborone, Botswana, 31 July 2026 – Just weeks after the upgrade and re-launch of Xpress Batteries, the specialist battery retail service brand is expanding its footprint with the opening of a new store in Gaborone, Botswana.
The Gaborone store is the first new Xpress Batteries location to open outside South Africa, marking the next stage in the development of a battery specialist retail network that already extends across Southern Africa.
Xpress Batteries was officially launched in August following the consolidation of the SABAT Batteries Xpress and Willard Batteries Xpress franchise networks. The combined network brought together 79 stores across South Africa and Lesotho under a single retail identity, supported by AutoX and decades of specialist battery expertise.
“Launching Xpress Batteries gave us the opportunity to bring a strong specialist retail network together under one identity, with a clear platform for future growth,” says Corné Strydom, Sales and Marketing Executive at AutoX. “Gaborone is an important next step in that journey. We see significant opportunity to build the Xpress Batteries footprint across Southern Africa by combining strong local ownership with the product choice, technical knowledge and customer support that define the network.”
Across the network, Xpress Batteries brings multiple battery brands together in a specialist retail environment, letting store teams recommend products according to the vehicle, application and customer requirements. The range includes established brands such as Willard and SABAT, which have been part of the South African battery market for more than 70 years, alongside VARTA, GP and the Xpress Battery house range.
For Botswana customers, the Gaborone store brings that model into a local retail environment, with a team able to assist motorists, businesses, fleet operators and leisure customers with battery selection, testing and fitment.
“Customers want to know that the battery they are buying is suited to their vehicle or application and that there is knowledgeable support behind the product,” says Tameem Khan, Franchisee of Xpress Batteries Gaborone. “Our team understands the local market, and being part of the Xpress Batteries network gives us access to a broad product offering and specialist expertise that we can bring directly to customers in Gaborone.”
The Gaborone opening comes shortly after the introduction of the Xpress Batteries brand and forms part of AutoX’s broader development of its specialist battery retail footprint in the region. AutoX already supplies automotive batteries into selected African markets, providing an established regional foundation for the expansion of the retail brand.
“Growth has to be supported by the right partners and a consistent customer experience,” adds Strydom. “As the network develops, our focus is on building stores that understand their local communities while giving customers access to the strength and expertise of a broader Southern African network.”
About Xpress Batteries
Xpress Batteries, owned by AutoX, is a growing battery retail network. Bringing together the former SABAT Batteries Xpress and Willard Batteries Xpress networks, Xpress Batteries offers expert battery testing, fitment, delivery and warranty support across a multi-brand range including Willard, SABAT, VARTA, GP and Xpress Battery. Backed by decades of specialist battery expertise, Xpress Batteries helps motorists, businesses and fleet operators find the right battery for every application.
Gaborone store launch gallery
