Nissan is divesting its historic Rosslyn factory in South Africa, selling it to Chinese automaker Chery. Discover how the deal reshapes the pickup market and what’s next for workers.
Nissan has announced that it will sell the entire asset portfolio of its long‑standing Rosslyn manufacturing complex in South Africa to Chery Automobile, the third‑largest car maker in China.
The transaction, which will be executed through Chery’s local subsidiary Chery South Africa (Chery SA), is slated to close by mid‑2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Deal Overview
Under the agreement, Chery SA will acquire the land, factories and related production equipment at Rosslyn. Once the deal is finalised, Nissan will cease assembling its Navara pickup truck at the plant by May 2026. The Navara is currently the sole model built at the Rosslyn site, serving both the domestic South African market and a handful of export destinations across the continent.
Impact on Navara Production
The shutdown marks the end of an era for the Navara’s local production line, which has been a flagship offering for Nissan in the competitive South African pickup segment. The Navara will now be imported to the region, joining rivals such as Toyota’s Hilux, Ford’s Ranger and Isuzu’s D‑Max—models that consistently rank among the country’s best‑selling trucks.
Nissan’s Global Restructuring Plan
The Rosslyn sale is part of Nissan’s broader worldwide restructuring initiative, which aims to streamline its manufacturing footprint by closing or consolidating up to seven plants. Nissan declined to comment on the current output capacity of the Rosslyn facility, a plant that celebrated its 60th anniversary this year and has historically been a cornerstone of Nissan’s operations in Africa.
Jordi Vila, Chairman of Nissan Africa, explained, “External factors have significantly affected the utilisation rates and long‑term viability of the Rosslyn plant within Nissan’s global production network.”
What This Means for Workers
Chery SA has indicated that most of the affected employees will be offered the opportunity to continue working under comparable conditions and benefits. The Chinese automaker, however, declined to comment further on the specifics of the employment agreements.
Future Outlook for Nissan in South Africa
Despite exiting local manufacturing, Nissan affirmed its commitment to remain in the South African market through sales, service and parts support. The company also plans to launch new models in the 2026 fiscal year, including the B‑segment Tekton SUV and the F‑segment Patrol SUV.
Meanwhile, Chery SA’s CEO hinted in October 2025 that the firm is exploring several options to expand its South African footprint, ranging from leveraging an existing plant to forming joint ventures or even building a brand‑new facility.