Nissan Rosslyn plant sale plans have been confirmed, ending months of uncertainty around the future of the Japanese carmaker’s last remaining manufacturing site in South Africa.
Nissan announced it will sell its Rosslyn manufacturing assets to Chinese automaker Chery, marking a major shift in the country’s automotive landscape. The deal, which is still subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to see production at the plant wind down by the end of May.
The Rosslyn factory, located north of Pretoria, currently assembles only one vehicle, the Nissan Navara pickup. Nissan says production of the model will stop later this year, after which the Navara will likely be imported from Thailand.
Why Nissan Rosslyn plant sale
The Nissan Rosslyn plant sale forms part of a wider global restructuring programme aimed at stabilising the company after a difficult financial year.
Nissan reported a net loss of about $4.5 billion for the year ended March, weighed down by rising restructuring costs and disruption to global trade. As part of its turnaround plan, the company is closing or consolidating seven plants across its international manufacturing network, which currently spans 17 sites.
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South Africa’s Rosslyn plant has struggled to remain viable. Output has steadily declined over the past decade, falling to roughly 17,000 vehicles in 2024, down from more than 54,000 units in 2012.
Local assembly of the Nissan Navara is expected to end towards the end of May, according to Nissan Africa executives.
The company previously explored adding a second model alongside the Navara to boost volumes after production of the NP200 half-ton bakkie ended in March 2024. Those plans were later abandoned, with Nissan citing global uncertainty and weakening demand in key export markets.
Despite the closure of its manufacturing operation, Nissan says it will remain active in South Africa as a sales and service brand, with new vehicle launches planned from 2026, including the Nissan Patrol and Nissan Tekton.
Under the agreement, Chery South Africa will acquire the Rosslyn land, buildings and associated assets, including a nearby stamping facility. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-2026, pending regulatory approval.
Chery has not yet confirmed which vehicles it plans to build at Rosslyn, nor the value of the deal. The Chinese automaker has previously said it was weighing several options in South Africa, including using an existing factory, entering a joint venture, or building a new plant from scratch.
Chery currently sells more than 2,000 vehicles a month under its own brand in South Africa and nearly 5,000 across its wider portfolio.
One of the most significant aspects of the Nissan Rosslyn plant sale is its impact on workers.
Around 900 Nissan employees are expected to be offered positions by Chery on substantially similar terms and conditions. The agreement also helps preserve jobs within the local supplier network that supports the factory.
Nissan Africa president Jordi Vila said the company had been focused on finding a solution that protected workers and maintained industrial capacity.
The deal ensures that the Rosslyn site, which has played a key role in South Africa’s automotive sector for decades, will continue operating rather than shutting down completely.
What This Means for South Africa’s Auto Industry
The sale shows the growing role of Chinese automakers in South Africa’s vehicle market, as well as the pressure facing traditional manufacturers amid global competition, shifting trade patterns and rising costs.
While Nissan’s exit from local manufacturing marks the end of an era, the continuation of operations under Chery offers some continuity for workers, suppliers and the broader automotive ecosystem.
