MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA), welcomes Chery’s investment in South Africa with the acquisition of Nissan’s historic production plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, which will offer employment to the majority of Nissan’s affected employees.
The Union has repeatedly urged new Chinese vehicle brands entering the country in 2025 to invest in establishing bigger dealership networks that will create jobs for employees negatively impacted by the closure of non-performing dealerships of traditional brands.
“MISA believes that the manufacturing and assembling of Chinese vehicles locally is vital for the survival of the automotive industry, including the local manufacturing of parts and components. With Chery taking the lead in this regard, it will not only sustain jobs but create more employment opportunities,” says Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations.
MISA also congratulates Nissan on putting the fate of its employees first when faced with the decision to either close the plant after 60 years of production or to find a solution that preserved jobs and retained industrial capacity in South Africa.
Dr Roelof Botha, economic advisor to the Optimum Financial Services Group, says it is not just South Africa’s retail and automotive industries that is negatively impacted by the influx of Chinese vehicles.
“It is part of China’s strategy to dominate the global market with Chinese vehicle brands. It stimulates the markets and creates massive competitiveness. The deal between Nissan and Chery is an excellent example of how responsible employers operate within the turmoil,” Roelf says.
According to Roelf just short of 100 million vehicles, including trucks and busses, were sold globally in 2025, of which South Africa sold 0,6% of this. “This is incredibly significant and positive+,” says Botha.
Audi South Africa has introduced the new Q5 range, comprising the third-generation Q5 SUV, second-generation Q5 Sportback, and the performance-focused SQ5 SUV and SQ5 Sportback. The range is built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion and brings a new generation of petrol and diesel engines to the nameplate.
Geely Auto South Africa (GASA) has introduced Riddara, Geely Auto Group's new energy bakkie brand, to the South African market.
Ford’s next big electric vehicle push is less about a dramatic new badge and more about what happens behind factory doors.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
The Toyota Starlet has improved from zero to a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP's latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results. This follows a safety upgrade to make six airbags a standard fit.
South Africa's new vehicle market sustained strong momentum in August 2026, with aggregate sales increasing by 11,4% year-on-year to 57 898 units, says the Automotive Business Councill | naamsa.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market maintained its momentum in August, with aggregate sales of 57 898 units representing an increase of 11.4% compared with the same month last year.
