Speculation has been rife this past year, but Nissan SA has finally confirmed that it will sell its local manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, Tshwane, together with its stamping facility, to Chery SA. The deal, which is expected to be finalised by mid-2026, will see Chery SA absorb the majority of Nissan SA’s associated employees.
“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, says Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President.
“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,” says Vila.
Nissan SA’s Rosslyn plant has essentially been underutilised since the discontinuation of the NP200 bakkie in March 2024. The plant struggled to prove its business viability, and the company had to lay off 400 personnel, around 25% of its workforce, as a result.
At the time of publishing, Chery SA had no official comment on the matter, so this remains a developing story.
