Nissan has drawn the curtain on nearly six decades of vehicle manufacturing in South Africa, confirming the sale of its landmark Rosslyn plant near Pretoria to Chinese rival, Chery.
Once regulatory approval is secured, the move will bring an end to the Japanese automaker’s local production operations and shift its South African business entirely towards imported vehicles.
Nissan confirmed on Friday, 23 January 2026, that, subject to regulatory approval, Chery SA is expected to assume ownership of the Rosslyn site by mid-2026, including the land, buildings, stamping plant and associated assets.
While the financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, the final timetable and broader financial implications remain under review.
The decision reflects long-term trends at the facility, which has faced declining production volumes in recent years. Since its establishment in 1966, the Rosslyn plant has served as a cornerstone of South Africa’s motor industry and a key hub for Nissan’s operations across the continent. Over the decades, it produced a broad range of vehicles for both domestic and export markets, from the 1200 and 1400 bakkies to the NP300 Hardbody, the NP200 half-ton pick-up, and passenger models such as the Livina.
At its peak, Nissan’s annual production in South Africa exceeded 100,000 vehicles, but volumes gradually declined over the past decade, dropping from more than 54,000 units in 2012 to fewer than 25,000 in recent years.
The reduction became more pronounced after the NP200 line was discontinued in early 2024, bringing output down to around 17,000 units for the year.
Although Nissan invested R3 billion in 2021 to begin Navara production and later considered a successor model, those plans were eventually abandoned amid persistent external pressures, leaving the operation unsustainable. The facility, which currently assembles the Navara pick-up, is now scheduled to wind down towards the end of May 2026.
Against this backdrop, workforce continuity forms a central part of the agreement. The majority of the plant’s roughly 900 employees are expected to be offered positions with Chery SA under terms broadly aligned with their existing contracts as of 23 January 2026.
Furthermore, Navara models destined for the South African market will be imported from Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Thailand, although it remains unclear whether this will affect local pricing.
Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa, said: “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. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement, we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce, thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector.”
Adding to this, the South African Government has welcomed the planned investment, highlighting its potential to support manufacturing and job creation. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau described the transaction as a positive development for an industry regarded as critical to the economy.
In a statement, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) said, “The South African automotive sector remains a key anchor industry for manufacturing and job creation. This acquisition by Chery SA is subject to regulatory approvals; after which, details on the investment will be shared with the public.” Chery SA has indicated that it will continue engaging with the dtic as the regulatory process progresses.
The divestment also forms part of Nissan’s broader global restructuring strategy, designed to streamline its manufacturing footprint amid prolonged financial pressures and persistent underutilisation across multiple plants.
Meanwhile, Chery — which has rapidly expanded its presence in South Africa through strong monthly sales — has not yet outlined its production intentions for the Rosslyn facility or provided further details of the acquisition.
Despite the end of local manufacturing, Nissan has emphasised that it is not withdrawing from the South African market. The company will maintain its full vehicle line-up and after-sales support through imports, while introducing new models, including the Tekton and Patrol, during the 2026 financial year.
The closure of the Nissan plant marks the end of an era for South African vehicle manufacturing; however, the transition to Chery ownership ensures that the facility will remain operational and continue contributing to the local automotive sector. In addition to preserving jobs and supplier networks, the move allows the site to remain part of the broader automotive ecosystem.
Moreover, the transaction highlights how international investment is reshaping the industry amid changing market conditions and production challenges, while also signalling the evolving nature of manufacturing in South Africa.
Although local production will cease, Nissan’s presence in South Africa will continue. By sustaining its vehicle range and after-sales support through imports, and introducing new models such as the Tekton and Patrol, the company will remain active in the market.
Consequently, while operations will now rely on imports rather than domestic manufacturing, Nissan’s footprint in the country endures, reflecting a strategic shift in how it participates in the local automotive sector.
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Nissan’s decision forms part of a broader global restructuring strategy aimed at addressing prolonged financial pressures and underutilised manufacturing facilities. Declining production volumes at Rosslyn over several years made the plant increasingly unsustainable within Nissan’s global footprint.
No. While Nissan will end vehicle production at the site by May 2026, the plant itself will remain operational under new ownership once Chery SA takes control, subject to regulatory approval.
The majority of the approximately 900 employees are expected to be offered positions with Chery SA under terms broadly aligned with their existing contracts as of 23 January 2026.
Yes. Nissan has confirmed it is not exiting the South African market. The company will continue offering its full vehicle line-up and after-sales support through imported models, including the Navara from Thailand, as well as new models such as the Tekton and Patrol.
Although it marks the end of nearly six decades of Nissan manufacturing in the country, the sale ensures the Rosslyn facility remains part of the automotive ecosystem. The transaction also highlights how international investment and changing market conditions are reshaping local vehicle manufacturing.
