At the naamsa conference late last year when I asked the CEO of Chery Group South Africa, Tony Liu, if the company was going to do some sort of deal with Nissan, he smiled slightly and said: “Watch this space.”
That cliché mentally confirmed for me Chery’s South African expansion into the manufacturing sector would happen at the Nissan, Rosslyn plant and the two companies have concluded an agreement for the sale of Nissan’s manufacturing assets. The transaction is expected to be finalised in mid-2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Can I afford it – find out with this handy Finance Calculator
Under the deal, Chery SA will acquire the land, buildings and related assets of the Nissan vehicle assembly plant and its adjacent stamping plant. A key condition of the agreement is the majority of Nissan employees linked to the operations will be offered employment by Chery SA on terms comparable to their current contracts.
Nissan Africa President Jordi Vila stated the decision followed well-documented challenges affecting the plant's utilisation and its future within the global manufacturer’s network. "We have been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners," Vila said. "This agreement secures employment for most of our workforce and helps preserve our supplier network. It also means the Rosslyn site will remain a part of South Africa's motor industry."
Nissan confirmed it will maintain its market presence in South Africa after the sale, continuing to sell and service vehicles. The company plans several new model introductions in the 2026 financial year, including the Tekton and Patrol.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
