Nissan’s decision to sell its Rosslyn manufacturing plant to Chery marks the end of an era for one of South Africa’s longest-established vehicle producers, bringing 60 years of local manufacturing to a close.
The Competition Commission announced on 19 June that it had recommended approval of the transaction, subject to conditions relating to employment and local supply.
According to the Commission, Chery South Africa intends to acquire the manufacturing assets at the Rosslyn facility and use the plant to produce selected Chery SUV models locally.
“The Commission is of the view that the proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any market. Regarding public interest, the merging parties tendered conditions relating to employment and local supply,” the Commission said
The Rosslyn factory, located in Gauteng, most recently produced the Nissan Navara bakkie.
However, Nissan announced in January 2026 that it would end vehicle manufacturing in South Africa, citing external factors that had affected the plant’s utilisation and long-term viability.
The sale closes a significant chapter in Nissan’s local history, which dates back to 1966.
The company initially assembled vehicles from complete knock-down kits before establishing its Rosslyn manufacturing facility in 1973.
Over the following decades, Nissan invested billions of rand in expanding the plant and introducing new production lines.
Several of the company’s most recognisable models were built there, including the NP300 Hardbody, the NP200 and, more recently, the Navara.
The NP200, launched in 2008, became one of South Africa’s most popular half-tonne bakkies and was widely used by small businesses before production ended in 2024.
Nissan also entered the competitive minibus taxi market in 2014 with the introduction of the NV350 Impendulo, while the latest-generation Navara rolled off the Rosslyn production line in 2021 following a R3-billion investment in the facility.
Despite positive reception for many of its vehicles, Nissan gradually lost market share as its product range aged and competition intensified, particularly from rapidly expanding Chinese and Indian manufacturers.
Nissan is not going anywhere
The challenges mirrored broader difficulties facing its global parent company, which has been restructuring its operations and closing factories around the world.
Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa, said the company had worked to find the best outcome for employees and stakeholders.
“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,” said Vila.
He added that the agreement would help preserve jobs and maintain the site’s contribution to the local automotive industry.
While Nissan’s manufacturing operations are ending, the company is not withdrawing from the South African market.
Instead, it will continue operating as an importer and distributor, selling vehicles such as the Magnite crossover, X-Trail SUV and the current-generation Navara models sourced from overseas.
The transition also creates an opportunity for Chery, which has rapidly expanded its presence in South Africa through imported vehicles but has not previously manufactured locally.
Producing SUVs at Rosslyn would establish a domestic production base and deepen its investment in the country’s automotive sector.
Nissan, meanwhile, still has plans to refresh its local lineup. The company is expected to launch the seventh-generation Patrol SUV, positioning it against premium off-road rivals such as the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Land Rover Defender 130.
It is also preparing to introduce the Tekton crossover, an Indian-built model that shares its underlying platform with the Renault Duster through the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.
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