A close-up of Nissan’s badge on a vehicle body, capturing a brand at a turning point. | Source: Nissan Australia
Nissan is selling its long-running Rosslyn vehicle assembly plant in South Africa to China’s Chery, ending nearly 60 years of local manufacturing. The deal only spotlights Nissan’s global restructuring and the growing strength of Chinese carmakers in Africa, as a key Asian carmaker gains a strategic production base in the region.
Nissan Says It Is Not Leaving The African Market
After almost six decades of vehicle manufacturing in South Africa, the sale is a major shift in the country’s automotive landscape. The agreement is expected to close by mid-2026, pending regulatory approvals, and includes the land, buildings, production facilities, and a nearby stamping plant used to manufacture body components. It forms part of Nissan’s global ‘Re:Nissan’ recovery plan, which aims to cut excess capacity and restore profitability after years of financial strain.
Nissan says Chery South Africa will offer most Rosslyn employees new roles under similar terms, easing fears of major job losses, while Nissan maintains it will continue operating in the South African market even as vehicle production winds down around May. The company plans to continue selling and servicing vehicles locally, with new model launches scheduled for the 2026 fiscal year, including the Nissan Patrol and the Tekton pickup.
The Rosslyn plant, which began operations in 1966, has became a cornerstone of Nissan’s presence on the continent, making the sale a symbolic end to a long manufacturing chapter.
For Chery, the acquisition is a strategic win, allowing the Chinese carmaker to build on its rapid expansion in the South African market, which it re-entered in 2021. Local production strengthens its position in Africa’s largest automotive market and provides a gateway to the wider region under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
How China Is Entering Africa’s Auto Market Through South Africa
China’s growing influence in Africa’s automotive market is reshaping how the continent adopts new mobility, and BYD is a clear example. 234Drive reported on how South Africa is becoming the launchpad for this push, supported by its established auto industry, strong infrastructure, and regional reach. Chinese automakers are bringing more than vehicles and are investing in charging centres, affordability, and scale.
This shift increases competition, improves access to EVs, and encourages local assembly, skills development, and cleaner transport. As momentum spreads beyond South Africa, Africa is steadily moving from a passive import market to an active player in the global auto transition.
