SUPPLEMENTAL NISSAN NEWS From: Corporate Communications Dept.
A30-SN-8066 Date: September 21, 1998
Nissan Launches Primera Production in South Africa
Tokyo ] Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that Nissan South Africa (Pty.) Ltd. (NSA) has recently launched knock-down production of the Primera using major parts supplied by Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. (NMUK). NSA, Nissan's manufacturing and sales arm in South Africa, plans to release the Primera in its home market in October and aims to sell 5,000 units annually.
This launching of Primera production by NSA marks the first time that one of Nissan's principal overseas manufacturing operations has shipped KD parts for local production at another plant. In connection with the supply of KD parts, NMUK newly invested approximately four million pounds to partially expand its plant building and other facilities
South Africa has the largest vehicle market in Africa and the size of the market is projected to grow further in the years ahead. In July 1997, Nissan acquired an equity interest in Automakers Ltd., the holding company of NSA, and has been working to strengthen manufacturing and sales operations in South Africa. The product lineup has been expanded, notably with the introduction this summer of the new-generation Patrol, which has received high accolades in the Middle East and Europe, and sales of Nissan vehicles in the South African market are increasing.
Nissan sees South Africa as an export base for the rest of the African continent, with the exception of North Africa, and has been promoting the expansion of vehicle exports from that country. Nissan Africa (Pty.) Ltd., established in 1995, is now exporting the NSA-built Pickup Truck (Datsun in Japan) to other African countries.
Nissan plans to take additional steps in the future to promote the Nissan brand and expand sales further in South Africa and throughout the African market in general.
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