By Our Reporter
PRETORIA (CONVERSEER) – Nissan Motor and Chinese automaker Chery South Africa (Chery SA) have reached an agreement for the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing assets at the historic Rosslyn plant, located just outside Pretoria. The deal, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to conclude by mid-2026.
Under the agreement, Chery SA will purchase the land, buildings and associated facilities, including the adjacent stamping plant, signalling a major shift in South Africa’s automotive landscape after nearly six decades of Nissan production at the site.
The Rosslyn factory has most recently been the production home of the Nissan Navara pickup, and Nissan has said that Navara assembly is expected to cease in May 2026 if the transaction completes as planned.
Nissan has pledged that the majority of the plant’s employees will be offered employment by Chery SA on terms similar to their current contracts, helping to preserve jobs and support the local supplier network.
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In a statement, Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa, emphasised the company’s long history in South Africa and said the agreement offers a viable path forward for the Rosslyn site, which had faced under-utilisation and competitive pressures in recent years.
While Nissan will exit local manufacturing, it plans to continue selling and servicing vehicles in South Africa, with several new model launches planned for 2026.
For Chery SA, the acquisition represents a significant expansion of local manufacturing capacity as the company grows its footprint in the South African market.
(MDN)
