Nissan Sells SA’s Rosslyn Plant to Chinese Automaker Chery

Nissan’s long-running manufacturing chapter in South Africa is coming to an end after the company agreed to sell its Rosslyn assembly plant outside Pretoria to China’s Chery Automobile. Once the transaction is completed, vehicle production at Rosslyn will stop and Nissan will shift to an import-only model in the country, closing a near 60-year period of local assembly.

Navara production and the Rosslyn sale

Nissan confirmed it will sell its manufacturing assets in Rosslyn to Chery for an undisclosed amount. Management is still assessing the timing of the deal and its financial impact. Months of uncertainty have surrounded the plant’s future, with Rosslyn remaining Nissan’s last manufacturing site in South Africa.

Global restructuring pressures and falling local output

Rosslyn’s sale is part of Nissan’s wider turnaround plan. That plan includes closing or consolidating seven plants across its global network of 17 sites. Pressure has been building after a difficult financial year. Nissan reported a $4.5 billion net loss for the year ended March. Rising restructuring costs and trade-related disruption weighed on performance.

Production in South Africa has fallen sharply over the past decade. Output dropped to about 17,000 units in 2024 after assembly of the NP200 half-ton bakkie ended. Annual volumes have remained below 25,000 units in recent years. That is a steep decline from more than 54,000 units recorded in 2012.

After NP200 production ended in March 2024, Nissan explored adding a replacement model alongside the Navara. The aim was to lift volumes and keep the plant viable. Those plans were later shelved. Geopolitical disruption in Western Europe further weakened the business case for Rosslyn.

Nissan’s local plans and job security under Chery

Despite the manufacturing exit, Nissan says it is not leaving South Africa. Sales and after-sales support will continue through its local network. New launches are expected in 2026, including the Nissan Tekton and Nissan Patrol.

For workers, the agreement offers more certainty. Chery South Africa will buy the land, buildings and associated assets at the Nissan facility, including a nearby stamping plant. Completion is expected in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Nissan says about 900 employees will be offered jobs by Chery on substantially similar terms and conditions.

“Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa,” said Nissan Africa president Jordi Vila. He said external factors affected Rosslyn’s utilisation and its long-term viability within Nissan. Vila added that the agreement helps secure employment for most of the workforce. He also said it preserves opportunities across the supplier network. In his view, the site can still contribute to the local automotive sector.

What Chery plans next

Chery has not confirmed which vehicles it plans to assemble at Rosslyn or the value of the transaction. The Chinese automaker has previously considered several manufacturing routes in South Africa. Options include using an existing facility, forming a joint venture, or building a new plant.

Chery sells more than 2,000 vehicles a month under its main brand. It sells close to 5,000 units across its wider portfolio. That performance places it among South Africa’s faster-growing automotive groups.