Summarize

Just this week we were telling you how big a deal the South African motor industry is – rivals like the Aussie car business have imploded while the likes of Englands’ is on the skids. And now this – another fantastic shot in the arm for the SA Motor industry…

Nissan today announced a major investment in plant, equipment and training at it's Rosslyn facility to see Auto Bakkie Race’s reigning Best Bakkie Navara now built in SA for local sale and to deliver on a new export program that will bring a R3-billion investment to also guarantee significant job creation.  

Navara will now join the popular NP200 and NP300 in local production for sale in this market, as well as to around 45 pan-African countries, while creating around 1 200 new jobs, while adding 30 000 units to Nissan Rosslyn’s current annual production of 35 000. 

The Rosslyn announcement was attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who pointed out that; “the automotive industry is already the largest part of South Africa’s manufacturing sector, contributing around 7% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product annually and accounting for a third of manufacturing output. “I am delighted Nissan will produce Navara here and congratulate the employees for their efforts in securing this important model.” 

The investment will not only bring further modernization of the Rosslyn plant, but will also train and up-skill Nissan staff while contributing to government’s Automotive Industry Development Centre promoting small businesses in the supply chain and skills development, starting with 15 black-owned companies that Nissan will support during expansion.