Nissan Eyes Major Plant Closures Under “Re: Nissan” Strategy

Nissan Motor Co. finds itself at a critical crossroads as it contemplates the closure of up to seven of its 17 global production facilities under its newly unveiled “Re: Nissan” turnaround strategy. Spearheaded by CEO Ivan Espinosa, the plan aims to cut approximately 15% of Nissan’s workforce some 20,000 jobs and shrink its manufacturing footprint to just ten plants by the end of fiscal 2027. Among the facilities under review are two long-standing Japanese sites (Oppama and Shonan) and key overseas operations in Mexico, Argentina, India and notably, the Rosslyn plant in South Africa.

The Rosslyn facility, located just outside Pretoria, has been the lone Nissan assembly hub on the continent since the discontinuation of the NP200 compact bakkie in early 2024. Today, it produces only the Navara single- and double-cab pickups, averaging around 1,200 units per month over the first four months of 2025. Sources tell IOL that this limited model lineup and modest volume place Rosslyn squarely on the chopping block as Nissan seeks to reduce underperforming assets.

Economic Impact Could Be Severe for South Africa

The potential closure of the Rosslyn plant could have significant economic consequences, directly impacting the hundreds of workers employed at the facility while also affecting countless jobs within its extensive supply chain. Given that South Africa’s automotive industry contributes approximately 6% to the national GDP and depends heavily on export markets, Nissan’s withdrawal could create substantial ripple effects. Beyond serving local demand, the plant plays a key role in supplying left-hand-drive markets across sub-Saharan Africa, making its fate a matter of considerable economic concern.Read more here

Nissan Maintains Official Silence Amid Speculation

Despite the gravity of these reports, Nissan has officially labeled the closure rumors as speculative. And emphasized that “no definitive decisions have been made” and pledged to “maintain transparency with all stakeholders” before any announcements are finalized.

Global Restructuring, Local Uncertainty

The mere prospect of shuttering a plant that has operated since the early 1990s underlines the depth of Nissan’s financial troubles, including a net loss of ¥671 billion (£4.1 billion) in the last fiscal year. For Rosslyn’s workforce and South Africa’s broader automotive ecosystem, the coming months will reveal whether Nissan’s global retrenchment plan claims its first victim outside Japan or not.