Nissan agrees to sell its Rosslyn manufacturing plant to Chery
It’s not difficult to see that the Nissan brand is struggling globally. In 2024, it announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs, reduce its global production capacity and sell a third of its stake in Mitsubishi to cut costs.
Locally, Nissan saw the largest volume decline in 2025, with a year-on-year decline of over 7,000 units, representing a 32% drop. This caused the brand to tumble out of the top 10 selling automakers in SA for the first time in decades. The biggest blow came when the brand discontinued the NP200, which was a huge volume seller for over 16 years. Its exit left a massive gap in the market that no other manufacturer has filled yet.
While we knew (from insiders) that the Rosslyn Plant was at a crossroads, and as part of the brand’s global plan to reduce costs and factory sites from 17 to 10 by 2027, the plant has been frequently mentioned in international reports as a potential closure. This is the same plant that has been producing the Navara since the NP200’s exit. With a capacity of 50,000 units, the plant needed a second high-volume model to remain economically viable and qualify for full government incentives.
That said, Nissan has announced that it has reached an agreement with Chery SA on the acquisition of its Rosslyn Plant in Pretoria. This simply means that the Chinese carmaker will purchase the land, buildings, stamping plant and associated assets of the Japanese brand in mid-2026, subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals. The good news, though, is that the majority of Nissan employees will be offered employment by Chery SA on substantially similar terms and conditions as today.
It now makes sense why the new Navara isn’t built or planned for the local market, as that would cost the carmaker billions. Importing it from Thailand wouldn’t help the situation either, as import taxes would be heavier on the brand, and this would indirectly translate to an expensive price tag for the new Navara.
When approached for comment, Chery SA simply mentioned that the facility will build SUVs – now the brand’s biggest local sellers. If that pans out, it could make locally produced Cherys even more affordable, which would be a win for buyers.
Is this the end of Nissan in South Africa? It’s complicated. On one hand, the brand says it’s here to stay, promising new vehicles and services, with launches like the Tekton and Patrol SUVs coming in 2026. On the other hand, this is the final chapter for Nissan’s local production. If this shift helps the brand financially, we could see a strong comeback. But if it doesn’t, this could be the start of a slow fade from our roads, and that would be a real loss for fans of the brand.
