ROSSYLN, Pretoria – Nissan South Africa celebrated this week the Japanese emperor's birthday by displaying two of its latest vehicles – the Nissan Patrol and the Nissan Navara Stealth at an event held in Pretoria.
Nissan was among the VIP guests that attended the Japanese emperor birthday celebration. Every year the Japanese ambassador to South Africa hosts a function to commemorate the birthday of the Emperor.
It was also an opportunity for the people present to taste the delicacies of the Japanese food and drinks.
The relationship between South Africa and Japan boasts 102 years of trade relations, which according to statistics, Japan exported in 2017 goods worth $7.5bn to Africa, including $2.5bn to South Africa, and imported $8.3bn, of which 57% came from South Africa with the automotive sector being the most important Japanese exports to Africa over the past decade. Managing Director of Nissan South Africa, Shinkichi Izumi said, "Nissan is very proud to transform the pledge made last year by the Japanese Prime minister, Shinzo Abe to invest in Africa a reality."
Nissan is one of the two Japanese car manufacturers with a strong presence in South Africa. Japanese investment in South Africa is expected to increase over the next few years. Following the President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to Nissan's Headquarters during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in late 2019 is a clear example of the strong relationship between the two countries.
Nissan South Africa announced last year that it will invest of R3bn ($200 million) at its Rosslyn plant to start producing locally the new edition of the Nissan Navara. "Producing the Navara locally is something that the majority of South Africans should be proud of," he added. We will continue to invest in our employees through skills development programmes and improve the lives of the people within the communities where we operate in South Africa." Concludes Izumi.
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
Veralda Schmidt
Media Relations Manager
Nissan South Africa
Tel: (012) 529 5680
Mobile: 082 820 8562
veraldas@nissan.co.za
