Chery to Take Over Nissan’s South Africa Plant in Strategic Expansion Move

Chery Acquires Nissan’s Rosslyn Plant in South Africa

PRETORIA, South Africa — January 23, 2026 — Chinese automobile maker Chery Automobile has struck a deal to purchase the manufacturing assets of Nissan Motor Co.’s facility in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. The agreement, announced by Nissan, will see Chery’s South African subsidiary acquire the site’s land, buildings and associated production facilities, including a nearby stamping plant used for body components.

The sale is expected to be completed by mid-2026, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions, reflecting a strategic shift in South Africa’s automotive landscape and Chery’s broader plan to grow its industrial base internationally.

Our priority in this agreement is to secure continuity for the workforce, our suppliers and local communities while enabling Chery to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s auto industry.

Jordi Vila, President of Nissan Africa.

What the Transaction Includes

Under the terms of the agreement, Chery South Africa will take ownership of:

• The Rosslyn vehicle assembly plant, Nissan’s only remaining manufacturing base in the country.
• The adjacent metal stamping facility that produces body parts for multiple models.
• Land, buildings and fixed assets related to both production sites.

The plant has a long history in the region, having opened in 1966 and historically served as the production base for pickup trucks such as the Navara and other models for both domestic sales and exports within Africa.

Safeguarding Employment and Market Continuity

As part of the transition plan, most Nissan employees at the Rosslyn facility are expected to be offered jobs with Chery South Africa on terms similar to their current employment, helping to preserve livelihoods and local expertise in the automotive workforce.

Nissan affirmed that it will continue to sell and service vehicles in South Africa through imports and distribution, with planned launches of models such as the Patrol and Tekton later in the 2026 financial year.

Strategic Significance for Chery

For Chery, the acquisition aligns with its aggressive global expansion strategy, which includes expanding sales networks and local production partnerships in key overseas markets. As part of this effort, Chery has been boosting its presence in Africa, where it has gained market share with competitive pricing and an expanding model lineup.

Industry analysts view the Rosslyn deal as an important move for Chinese automakers seeking to strengthen their industrial and manufacturing footprint abroad, particularly in regions where traditional competitors have scaled back operations.

Context: South Africa’s Automotive Sector Transformation

The sale of the Rosslyn plant occurs amid a period of transformation in South Africa’s automotive industry. Regulatory incentives introduced in 2026 allow manufacturers to reclaim up to 150% of taxes on investments in facilities and equipment used to produce new energy vehicles, attracting foreign investment and fostering localization of production.

Nissan’s decision to divest the Rosslyn plant — after years of reduced utilization triggered by intense competition from rivals such as Toyota, Ford and Isuzu — reflects broader restructuring efforts aimed at bolstering profitability and operational efficiency.

Source: https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/260123-01-e