NISSAN has announced a R3 billion investment at its Rosslyn, Pretoria, facility.
This in an effort to prepare the plant for the production of the Navara bakkie.
The Japanese carmaker is expanding the role of the plant to build light commercial vehicles.
The Navara joins the popular NP200 and NP300 models, which are already built at Rosslyn and sold in the domestic market, including 45 African countries.
Production will kick off in 2020 and will create about 1 200 new jobs locally.
Depending on market conditions, it is anticipated that Navara’s arrival will add 30 000 units to Rosslyn’s current annual production volume of 35 000, creating the need for a new, second shift at the plant.
The announcement was made last week at the plant and attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Peyman Kargar, chairman of Nissan’s Africa, Middle East and India region and Mike Whitfield, managing director for the Nissan Africa group.
Ramaphosa said the decision to produce Navara locally was proof of the increasing contribution of the motor industry.
He said: “Automotive is already the largest part of Mzansi’s manufacturing sector, contributing about 7% GDP annually and accounting for a third of manufacturing output.
“I’m delighted that Nissan will produce the Navara here. I congratulate the employees for their efforts in securing this important model.”
The investment will result in further modernisation of the Rosslyn plant, including a new, flexible production line and additional facilities, training and upskilling of staff.
The Navara has won multiple awards across the world since its launch, including the 2016 International Pickup of the Year.
In 2018, global sales totalled 231 435 units – a 6% increase year-on-year.
This hes established the Navara as Nissan’s highest-selling pickup all over the world.
