YOKOHAMA, Japan – Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of the Republic of South Africa, visited Nissan's global headquarters and the company's Oppama Plant in Japan today.
The visit follows Nissan Group of Africa's 10th April announcement of continued investment and deepening of the relationship between Nissan and South Africa.
Managing director for Nissan South Africa, Shinkichi Izumi said, "Nissan's R3bn investment to locally produce the new Nissan Navara is a hallmark to providing sustainable employment, equity and growth within South Africa to deepen the bilateral economic cooperation and investment with the government
"Nissan has long been a close partner of South Africa," Ramaphosa said. "Its history in our country stretches back to the 1960s and continues to this day, most notably with the company's recent R3 billion investment in the production of a new Navara model."
Nissan sees South Africa as a key strategic partner and entrance to the continent thanks to the country's vigorous financial services sector, a leading manufacturing base that's able to meet the needs of the continent, favourable markets in Africa and globally through various free trade agreements.
South African automotive value proposition
A recent study by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers revealed that Japanese manufacturers with operations in South Africa produce more than 50 percent of all vehicles in Africa. Nissan's growth strategy for Africa aims to position the company among the top three car brands by 2020, as well as a leading manufacturer and exporter of vehicles to Africa.
South Africa accounts for 15 percent of Nissan's global production volume. Production of the Navara in South Africa will establish Rosslyn as a light commercial vehicle hub, providing key support to Nissan's wider activities within the continent and beyond.
President @CyrilRamaphosa is taken on a guided tour of the Nissan Motor Corporation Oppama Plant by Nissan South Africa’s Managing Director, Mr Izumi-san in Yokohama, Japan.#InvestSA #TICAD7 #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/muKvaPAcFS
— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) August 28, 2019
President @CyrilRamaphosa test drives the Nissan Leaf semi autonomous drive-assist model at the Oppama Plant - Nissan is leading motor vehicle research in the next phase of autonoumous driving and electronic cars. #InvestSA #TICAD7 🇯🇵 #BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/Gh9u9Gpa1E
— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) August 28, 2019
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2018, the company sold 5.52 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.6 trillion yen. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance sold 10.76 million vehicles combined in calendar year 2018.
For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
About Nissan in South Africa
Nissan South Africa is the operational hub for Regional Business Unit South, serving Nissan's key South Africa market and 45 other countries in Sub Saharan Africa, including Angola, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria as well as the key Southern African markets of Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. In South Africa, the company offers a range of 24 vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands, including the popular locally produced Nissan light commercial vehicles - the NP200 half ton pickup and NP300 one-ton Hardbody - produced at the company's Rosslyn plant, north west of Pretoria. Nissan made history locally in 2013 with the introduction of Africa's first electric vehicle, Nissan's flagship Nissan LEAF. As well as boasting zero emissions leadership, Nissan is also a leader in the crossover segment. Among its product offerings are the all-new Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, as well as Juke. The Datsun brand has re-established Nissan in the entry-level market where the tailor-made Datsun GO is breaking new ground in the ‘riser' market segment. Infiniti continues to make a mark in the luxury segment. Nissan is one of the top five automotive companies in South Africa. For more information visit our website at http://www.nissan.co.za
Contact
Patience Dumisani
General Manager, Communications, Nissan South Africa
+27 82 616 3499
patiencedu@nissan.co.za
