Chinese automaker Chery will acquire a vehicle assembly plant from Nissan in South Africa, marking a step forward in Chery’s strategy to localise production in overseas markets.
Nissan said on Friday it had reached an agreement with Chery for the sale of its production assets in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. Under the deal, Chery’s local unit will acquire the land, buildings and related facilities at the site, including a nearby stamping plant, with the transaction expected to be completed by mid-year.
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Chery South Africa will offer employment to most of Nissan’s current workforce, with working conditions largely unchanged, Nissan said.
“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,” said Jordi Vila, president of Nissan Africa. “External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan,” he added.
Following the sale, Nissan said it would continue selling vehicles in South Africa and plans to introduce several new models in fiscal year 2026, including the Nissan Tekton and the Nissan Patrol.
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Chery has built a growing presence in the South African market, selling more than 2,000 vehicles a month, according to a report by local media outlet Engineering News. The broader Chery group — which includes brands such as Omoda, Jaecoo and Jetour — records combined monthly sales of close to 5,000 units in the country, the report said.
Nissan’s Rosslyn plant has operated below capacity in recent years, with annual output remaining under 25,000 vehicles, well below its 2012 peak of about 54,000 units, according to the same report.
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Globally, Chery Group sold 2.81 million vehicles in 2025, up 7.8% from a year earlier, while exports rose 17.4% to 1.34 million vehicles. By the end of 2025, the group’s cumulative exports reached 5.85 million vehicles, highlighting its increasing focus on international markets.