Nissan's time in South Africa is coming to an end.

Nissan's selling its Rosslyn factory to Chery, ending over 60 years of manufacturing in South Africa.

Back in January 2026, Nissan South Africa announced they'd agreed with the Chinese automaker to hand over the Navara bakkie factory and its stamping facility.

"Nissan and Chery SA have agreed on the acquisition of Nissan's manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa," Nissan said.

"Once certain conditions are met, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will buy the land, buildings, and related assets of the Nissan facilities in mid-2026."

Nissan is not going anywhere

Nissan South Africa has reached an agreement to sell its long-standing Rosslyn manufacturing plant in Pretoria to the Chinese automaker Chery SA. This transaction signifies the conclusion of Nissan's 60-year manufacturing presence in the region. However, Chery intends to utilize the facility for the local production of SUV models and plans to retain most of the current employees.

The challenges faced by Nissan South Africa were reflective of broader issues within its global parent company, which has been undergoing restructuring and closing factories worldwide.

Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa, stated that the company diligently sought the most favorable outcome for its employees and stakeholders.

Mr. Vila remarked, "Nissan possesses a rich and commendable history in South Africa and has been dedicated to identifying the optimal solution for our personnel, our clientele, and our collaborators."

He further noted that this agreement would contribute to job preservation and ensure the site's continued contribution to the local automotive sector.

Although Nissan's manufacturing operations are ceasing, the company is not withdrawing from the South African market.

Instead, it will continue to operate as an importer and distributor, offering vehicles such as the Magnite crossover, X-Trail SUV, and the current-generation Navara models, which will be sourced internationally.

This transition also presents an opportunity for Chery, which has rapidly expanded its presence in South Africa through imported vehicles but has not previously engaged in local manufacturing.

Producing SUVs at the Rosslyn plant would establish a domestic production base and enhance its investment in the country's automotive industry.

Meanwhile, Nissan still has intentions to refresh its local product offerings. The company is anticipated to introduce the seventh-generation Patrol SUV, positioning it as a competitor to premium off-road vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Land Rover Defender 130.

It is also preparing for the introduction of the Tekton crossover, an Indian-built model that shares its underlying platform with the Renault Duster, a product of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.