Nissan South Africa’s production is set to decline to under 20,000 units this year, down from nearly 25,000 last year, but Managing Director Maciej Klenkiewicz assures that local assembly at the Rosslyn plant will continue. The reduction follows challenges stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which halted plans for a successor to the NP200 half-ton bakkie, a model that historically sold around 10,000 units annually.
Klenkiewicz explained that the end of the NP200’s production was influenced by global events, resulting in significant losses that accounted for over 40% of their volume. The company previously reduced its workforce by 28% in response to these challenges and discontinued the Datsun range, further impacting its budget market share.
Currently, Nissan’s product lineup includes the Navara pickup, along with the Magnite and X-Trail SUVs. However, recent adjustments to the Navara have led to a 28% increase in production and sales.
Nissan SA is now focusing on expanding its assembly operations and securing new export markets across Africa and the Middle East, with plans to introduce new vehicles. Klenkiewicz aims to reach an annual production target of 50,000 units, contingent on launching two new products within five years, including a new five-seater and seven-seater SUV by 2026. The first new offering, a cargo version of the Magnite, is expected to debut by year’s end.