Nissan’s Rosslyn Plant outside Pretoria has officially been taken over by Chery. Picture: Nissan Global In a long-rumoured announcement, Nissan has confirmed that its manufacturing assets and Rosslyn plant outside Pretoria will be taken over by Chery South Africa. The future of the 60-year-old plant, having been uncertain following a report last year that it could face closure as one of seven global Nissan factories, its offloading to Chery won’t, however, lead to its complete departure from South Africa.
All but confirming Nissan as an imported brand, the facility has been struggling ever since production of the NP200 ended in 2024. Despite former Nissan chairperson for the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania regions, Guillaume Cartier, stating in 2024 that it is still looking intoproducing a second modelalongside the Navara, an apparent suitable model to make the facility’s output viable, has not been found. The imminent end of the NP200 saw the factoryreduce its workforce by 400 jobsin 2023, as the almost-ready replacement for the former had to be scrapped as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ultimate withdrawal of both Nissan and alliance partner Renault from the market.
As with the NP200, based on the first-generation Dacia/Renault Logan Pick-Up, the principal sourcing of the “second generation” was to come from Russia, with eventual assembly taking place at Rosslyn. “Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners,” Nissan Africa president, Jordi Vila, said in a statement. “External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan”.
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According to the agreement, both the land Rosslyn is situated on, its surrounding buildings and stamping plant will become the property of Chery South Africa by mid-year. At the same time, the majority of the current workforce will be offered Chery employment with the same terms and conditions as those of Nissan.
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