Nissan Africa has made some upgrades and expansion to the current Navara line up. It unveiled expansions and enhancements to its Navara lineup, aimed at meeting both business and customer needs as part of its strategy to drive growth across the continent.
On September 18, at the Rhino and Lion Park in Krugersdorp, a media event for the Nissan Africa made this announcement. At the event, Jordi Vila, president of Nissan Africa, shared that the company is currently in its "Arc" phase, which spans from this year until 2026, focusing on creating value through expansion.
The Arc
He emphasised that Nissan Africa's growth is a fundamental aspect of the Arc initiative, with plans to increase investments in the continent, broaden its market presence, improve operations in North Africa, pursue volume increases in key markets, launch updated models, and boost exports both regionally and potentially internationally.
Vila emphasised that increasing vehicle production in South Africa is critical to this growth strategy.
The Arc' serves as a conduit between Nissan's recent business transformation plan, Nissan NEXT, and its long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030. This strategic roadmap outlines mid-term goals spanning fiscal years 2024 through 2026, with subsequent actions extending to 2030.
Increased investment is expected
Maciej Klenkiewicz, managing director of Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa, stated that the Rosslyn production facility, which has been the country's cornerstone for over 60 years, serves as the continent's primary manufacturing centre. This facility is responsible for the entire Navara lineup, producing models tailored for both the South African market and export.
He stated that the company intends to expand on the R3 billion it invested in 2021 to start the Navara series' production.
Additionally, the Nissan head office will be relocating from Rosslyn to Centurion within the next month to facilitate future expansion.
Klenkiewicz emphasised that the Navara will continue to be a flagship product for Africa, featuring new deliverables and specifications.
Expansions and enhancements
Isa Giunta, the general manager of Nissan Africa's product marketing, explained to DRIVEtorque that the company's identification of market opportunities and specific customer requests drove the recent expansions and enhancements.
Giunta mentioned that the Rosslyn plant began producing the Navara for the African market in 2021 and has received positive feedback since its launch. The company is now advancing its range expansion efforts and aims to increase its presence in the region.
As part of the Navara 2025 range expansion, the first introduction will be a new XE Grade double cab, designed specifically for fleet use, providing all the essential features that fleet customers or business owners require, and at a competitive price point, according to Giunta.
This new model will bear the Navara XE designation and will feature the same engine as its counterparts, albeit tuned for mid-level performance.
Customers will have the option of rear-wheel 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains.
A notable change in this model is the adoption of leaf spring rear suspension, replacing the coil spring configuration found in other Navara double cab variants.
This modification will enhance the XE models' ability to manage challenging conditions and heavy loads, with a load capacity of 1 148 kg for the 4 X 2 model (the highest in the double cab lineup) and 1 067 kg for the 4 x 4 model.
Giunta stated that the company is currently finalising the production ramp-up for this model, which should be ready by October and available at all dealerships by November.
Additionally, Giunta announced the launch of a new LE Grade double cab, indicating that it would meet the specifications and pricing suitable for the family market, an area where the company has recognised potential.
This model will feature new high-quality fabric seats and enhanced Nissan intelligent technology features, as outlined by Giunta. Giunta anticipates that consumers will be able to purchase it by late October or early November.
We are currently developing upgrades to meet customer requirements and will introduce them in January 2025, Giunta said
The SE Grade single cab will have new audio systems, while the XE Grade single cab will have central locking.
Additionally, the LE Plus double cab will have a roof rail, and the SE and SE Plus double cab models will get updated audio systems. Furthermore, the company is introducing a new Nissan emblem across the Navara lineup, as stated by Guinta.
This will entail a contemporary interpretation of the logo, showcasing the Nissan brand at the heart of Japan's Rising Sun.
Nissan plans to produce the new Navara series at its Rosslyn facility for more than 45 markets in Africa, including left-hand-drive regions. This includes Zimbabwe.
Made for Africa by Africa
Nissan Navara is proudly an African milestone. It is made in Africa by Africans for Africa.
Guinta emphasised that experts meticulously crafted the Navara series for Africa for the local market, conducting thorough assessments of diverse road conditions and customer needs in the region, and ultimately engineering a vehicle that meets the specific demands of the environment.
A prime illustration of this is the incorporation of high-tensile steel in the hood ledge, which Guinta highlighted as a distinctive feature for the African market, enhancing durability against pothole impacts.
To assess the Navara’s robustness and dependability, Nissan launched the “Daring Africa 2024” expedition, covering over 8 000 kilometres across eight countries on the continent, utilising four Nissan Navara pick-ups and an X-Trail SUV.
The journey commenced in South Africa with locally produced vehicles and passed through Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya, concluding in Egypt last week.
This expedition coincided with the introduction of the Navara in the Egyptian market, as the company embarks on a significant expansion into North Africa to strengthen its established presence in sub-Saharan Africa.
“For Nissan, experiencing the vehicle is essential. Whether or not you are in the market for a new car, I encourage everyone to take advantage of our adventure club, participate in 4x4 courses, or test drive vehicles at any Nissan dealership,” Guinta stated.
In this context, the event also provided attendees with the chance to test drive Navara models, demonstrating their durability, reliability, and versatility in demanding off-road conditions and various terrains, showcasing how the features are tailored for the region's challenges.
Additionally, the company is actively working on innovations for its Nissan Magnite range, which are expected to be revealed soon.
- andrew@muzamhindo.com.