Nissan and Chery South Africa have reached a formal agreement regarding the acquisition of Nissan South Africa’s manufacturing assets located in Rosslyn, Pretoria.
Under the terms of the agreement, Chery SA will acquire the land, buildings, and associated assets of Nissan’s Rosslyn manufacturing facility, along with its nearby stamping plant. The transaction is expected to be finalised in mid-2026, pending the completion of all required regulatory and legal processes.
Acquisition Scope and Assets Included
The agreement covers the full manufacturing footprint currently operated by Nissan in Rosslyn. This includes the primary vehicle assembly plant and the adjacent stamping facility, which plays a key role in body panel production and component supply.
The Rosslyn plant has historically been one of South Africa’s long-standing automotive manufacturing sites and has contributed to vehicle production, employment, and supplier activity in the region for decades. The acquisition by Chery SA ensures that the physical infrastructure will remain in active use within the local automotive sector.
What happens to the existing workforce?
Employment and Workforce Continuity
A central component of the agreement is the employment transition for Nissan’s workforce at the Rosslyn facilities.
According to the announcement, the majority of Nissan employees involved in manufacturing operations will be offered employment with Chery SA.
These employment offers will be made on substantially similar terms and conditions to those currently in place. This approach is intended to support workforce continuity and minimise disruption for employees affected by the change in ownership.
In addition to direct employment, the agreement also supports continuity across the broader automotive supply chain. By maintaining operations at the Rosslyn site, ongoing opportunities are preserved for suppliers and service providers that support manufacturing activities linked to the facility.
What’s next for Nissan?
While Chery SA will take ownership of the manufacturing assets, Nissan has confirmed that it will continue its operations in South Africa through its sales and distribution business. This ensures that Nissan customers will continue to have access to vehicles, after-sales support, and services across the country.
Nissan has also confirmed plans to introduce several new products to the South African market during fiscal year 2026. Among the upcoming launches are the Nissan Tekton and the Nissan Patrol, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing commitment to the local market despite the manufacturing transition.
Impact on the South African Automotive Sector
The acquisition is expected to have broader implications for South Africa’s automotive manufacturing environment. Retaining active vehicle production infrastructure supports industrial continuity, skills retention, and economic participation in the sector.
By acquiring an established manufacturing facility, Chery SA gains access to existing production assets and a trained workforce, while South Africa retains a functioning automotive plant within its industrial base. This aligns with broader industry goals of sustaining local manufacturing capacity and employment.
