Nissan and Chery SA, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Chery Group** [China’s Number One exporter with more than 100,000 employees and sales in 132 countries or regions. AutoCrat*], said today they have reached agreement on the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa. Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets of the Nissan facilities, including of its nearby stamping plant, in mid-2026.
“Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilization of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector,” claimed Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President.
Following the acquisition of the plant by Chery SA, Nissan said it will continue to offer vehicles and services to customers in South Africa, as before, with several new vehicle launches planned for fiscal year 2026 including the Nissan Tekton and Nissan Patrol.
*AutoInformed on
**Chery Automobile Co. Ltd was founded in 1997 in China “with the vision of providing affordable yet robust and reliable passenger and commercial vehicles. Life is beautiful and worth enjoying and Chery enables you to do that.” Chery is manufactured in 13 plants globally. Its range of vehicles is distributed to more than 84 countries. Launched in South Africa in 2008, Chery is backed by Bidvest and Imperial’s nationwide dealer network and service centers. Chery has invested in two South African Manufacturing Plants, a Transmission Plant, an Automotive Engineering Research Institute, as well as an Automotive Planning and Design Institute.
During calendar year 2025 through November, Chery Group’s cumulative vehicle sales reached 2,561,465 units, an increase of 11.1% year-on-year. During this period, cumulative exports amounted to 1,199,590 units, up 14.7% year-on-year, while cumulative NEV sales totaled 814,685 units, rising 69.4% year-on-year and exceeding the 800,000-unit milestone for the first time in a single year. As of the end of November, Chery Group has served more than 18.28 million customers globally, including more than 5.7 million overseas users.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Nissan Sells South African Plants to Chery SA
Nissan and Chery SA, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker Chery Group** [China’s Number One exporter with more than 100,000 employees and sales in 132 countries or regions. AutoCrat*], said today they have reached agreement on the acquisition of Nissan’s manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa. Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will purchase the land, buildings and associated assets of the Nissan facilities, including of its nearby stamping plant, in mid-2026.
“Nissan has a long and proud history in South Africa and has been working to find the best solution for our people, our customers and our partners. External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilization of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan. Through this agreement we’re able to secure employment for the majority of our workforce thereby also preserving opportunities for our supplier network. This move also ensures that the Rosslyn site will continue contributing to the South African automotive sector,” claimed Jordi Vila, Nissan Africa President.
Following the acquisition of the plant by Chery SA, Nissan said it will continue to offer vehicles and services to customers in South Africa, as before, with several new vehicle launches planned for fiscal year 2026 including the Nissan Tekton and Nissan Patrol.
*AutoInformed on
**Chery Automobile Co. Ltd was founded in 1997 in China “with the vision of providing affordable yet robust and reliable passenger and commercial vehicles. Life is beautiful and worth enjoying and Chery enables you to do that.” Chery is manufactured in 13 plants globally. Its range of vehicles is distributed to more than 84 countries. Launched in South Africa in 2008, Chery is backed by Bidvest and Imperial’s nationwide dealer network and service centers. Chery has invested in two South African Manufacturing Plants, a Transmission Plant, an Automotive Engineering Research Institute, as well as an Automotive Planning and Design Institute.
During calendar year 2025 through November, Chery Group’s cumulative vehicle sales reached 2,561,465 units, an increase of 11.1% year-on-year. During this period, cumulative exports amounted to 1,199,590 units, up 14.7% year-on-year, while cumulative NEV sales totaled 814,685 units, rising 69.4% year-on-year and exceeding the 800,000-unit milestone for the first time in a single year. As of the end of November, Chery Group has served more than 18.28 million customers globally, including more than 5.7 million overseas users.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.