A R3-billion future for Nissan Navara

On Wednesday, April 10, Nissan Group of Africa announced it will invest R3 billion in its Rosslyn plant to prepare it for the production of the next generation of the Nissan Navara for local and international customers.

This investment forms a key part of Nissan’s 2022 midterm plan to double its presence in Africa by 2022.

Production is expected to start in 2020 with 1 200 new jobs created at the facility and across the local supply chain. It is anticipated that the arrival of the Nissan Navara will increase the number of annual units produced at the Rosslyn plant by 30 000.

In addition, the manufacturer will work towards increasing the number of local parts used in the vehicles to around 60 percent. At the moment it is less than 40 percent. Nissan Group of Africa has also identified 15 black-owned suppliers to support the manufacturer with the production of the Navara.

Together with the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), Nissan has incubated eight new component manufacturers and related companies from its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment start-up programme.

President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the event and noted: “Nissan’s investment is an expression of confidence in the country’s economic position and in the nation’s ability to overcome adversity. I urge other companies to follow the example of Nissan.”

To further assist in the expansion of Nissan’s presence in Africa, India and the Middle East, Nissan Group of Africa is looking at new markets into which it can expand, including Algeria, Ghana and Nigeria.