The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has expressed grave concern over reports that Nissan may shutter its only production facility in the country, a move that could imperil more than 20,000 jobs linked to the broader automotive supply chain.
In a public statement issued on Tuesday, NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim confirmed the union’s intention to engage directly with Nissan South Africa management. “Our union stands ready with our members to defend jobs in the sector,” said Jim, affirming NUMSA’s commitment to protecting employment in one of the nation’s most strategically significant industries.
The warning follows a Reuters report indicating that the Japanese automaker is considering closing several international plants — including those in South Africa, India, and Argentina — as part of a comprehensive global restructuring programme. The company aims to consolidate its manufacturing footprint by reducing the number of its plants worldwide from 17 to 10 over the next two years.
Although NUMSA refrained from providing further comment, the possibility of the Rosslyn-based facility in Gauteng Province shutting down has sent ripples through South Africa’s manufacturing and labour circles. Nissan South Africa confirmed that a “detailed assessment” of the global restructuring proposal is currently underway, with no final decisions made regarding the plant’s future.
Nissan has maintained operations in South Africa for nearly five decades. However, the brand’s domestic sales performance has recently waned. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, Nissan was absent from the list of the top ten best-selling vehicle manufacturers in the country for April 2025, reflecting broader strategic difficulties within the company’s global portfolio.
Independent automotive industry analyst Mphuthumi Damane described the development as part of a wider malaise facing the global auto industry. “I believe Nissan has a global concern, and South Africa is just a small issue. This is what I have been fearing for the motor industry in South Africa, and now it’s happening. The consequences are too ghastly to mention,” Damane told The Southern African Times in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
Industry observers note that plant closures of this scale could have widespread consequences across the value chain, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, logistics providers, and contracted labour — significantly multiplying the job losses beyond the immediate Nissan workforce.
The South African automotive sector, which contributes approximately 4.9% to the national GDP and is a vital source of export revenue, remains a critical pillar of the country’s industrial base. The possible withdrawal of a long-standing player such as Nissan not only threatens employment but may also affect investor sentiment in a sector already under pressure from global supply disruptions, electric vehicle transitions, and rising operational costs.
NUMSA has reiterated its resolve to contest any unilateral decisions that jeopardise workers’ livelihoods and has called for transparency and consultation in the company’s decision-making process.
As the automotive industry in South Africa awaits further developments, attention now turns to the outcome of NUMSA’s forthcoming discussions with Nissan. The results may determine the future of not only one plant but potentially the stability of a major industrial sector.
Meta Description:
