Renault-Nissan alliance invests R1bn in SA
Thématique :
sud afrique
The Renault-Nissan alliance is investing R1-billion in the local manufacture of the Renault Sandero as well as the Nissan NP200 small pick-up.
The NP200 is the successor to the well-known 1400 bakkie, which had to be replaced as it did not meet emission standards applicable in South Africa as from January this year.
The two cars are developed on the same platform, namely the B0, or Logan platform.
The new Nissan half-ton pickup and the Renault Sandero are to be produced at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant, just outside Pretoria.
The plant first opened its doors in 1963, and produced its millionth car in 1992.
The plant currently assembles the Hardbody, Tiida Hatchback, Tiida Sedan, Grand Livina, Livina and Livina X-Gear, and now also the NP200.
The plant produced some 44 000 vehicles in 2007.
Production of the Renault Sandero will start in 2009. There is no official production forecast available for this model.
Some 300 jobs will be created in the plant in 2008.
Components nor produced locally for the two models, will come from Romania, India (right-hand drive components), Brazil (stamping parts), and Turkey and Spain (powertrains).
It is not anticipated that the project will lead to increased production capacity at the plant, currently at 54 000 units a year on a single eight-hour shift, or 140 000 units making use of three seven-hour shifts.
Renault South Africa MD Xavier Gobille says the Sandero “will represent affordable motoring, produced to meet the needs of the South African market, and will be the first Renault product manufactured in South Africa”.
In the coming years, Renault will expand its product line-up offered to South African customers with vehicles ranging from entry-level to the more exclusive range, he adds.
Among them will be New Twingo and Koleos, Renault’s first crossover model, to be introduced into South Africa later this year.
Nissan South Africa MD Mike Whitfield says his company are targeting sales of more than 17 000 units a year for the NP200.
The company sold 6 800 Nissan 1400 bakkies in the 2007 financial year, down from just over 10 000 in 2006.
It is not yet known what the price of the NP200 will be, due to be launched locally in October.
The Renault-Nissan alliance says it is looking at the possible local assembly of more vehicles from the same platform.
Export of the Sandero and NP200 is also possible, especially into Africa, adds Whitfield.
The alliance, created in 1999, sold 6,1-million vehicles globally in 2007.
The NP200 is the successor to the well-known 1400 bakkie, which had to be replaced as it did not meet emission standards applicable in South Africa as from January this year.
The two cars are developed on the same platform, namely the B0, or Logan platform.
The new Nissan half-ton pickup and the Renault Sandero are to be produced at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant, just outside Pretoria.
The plant first opened its doors in 1963, and produced its millionth car in 1992.
The plant currently assembles the Hardbody, Tiida Hatchback, Tiida Sedan, Grand Livina, Livina and Livina X-Gear, and now also the NP200.
The plant produced some 44 000 vehicles in 2007.
Production of the Renault Sandero will start in 2009. There is no official production forecast available for this model.
Some 300 jobs will be created in the plant in 2008.
Components nor produced locally for the two models, will come from Romania, India (right-hand drive components), Brazil (stamping parts), and Turkey and Spain (powertrains).
It is not anticipated that the project will lead to increased production capacity at the plant, currently at 54 000 units a year on a single eight-hour shift, or 140 000 units making use of three seven-hour shifts.
Renault South Africa MD Xavier Gobille says the Sandero “will represent affordable motoring, produced to meet the needs of the South African market, and will be the first Renault product manufactured in South Africa”.
In the coming years, Renault will expand its product line-up offered to South African customers with vehicles ranging from entry-level to the more exclusive range, he adds.
Among them will be New Twingo and Koleos, Renault’s first crossover model, to be introduced into South Africa later this year.
Nissan South Africa MD Mike Whitfield says his company are targeting sales of more than 17 000 units a year for the NP200.
The company sold 6 800 Nissan 1400 bakkies in the 2007 financial year, down from just over 10 000 in 2006.
It is not yet known what the price of the NP200 will be, due to be launched locally in October.
The Renault-Nissan alliance says it is looking at the possible local assembly of more vehicles from the same platform.
Export of the Sandero and NP200 is also possible, especially into Africa, adds Whitfield.
The alliance, created in 1999, sold 6,1-million vehicles globally in 2007.
