‘South African automotive industry employed 460,000 in 2022’

As part of the activities marking its 29th post-apartheid independence anniversary, the Republic of South Africa, has collaborated with Stallion NMN, a Nigerian partner of Nissan Motor Corporation.

This is in recognition of the long-term partnership between Nissan and South Africa.

The General Manager of Stallion NMN, Amit Sharma, described Nigeria and South Africa as two nations with special bonds.

He said, “Today, the South African automotive industry directly employs over 460,000 individuals; in 2022, it contributed 4.3% to the country’s GDP and earned R207.5 billion in export which was 12.5% of South Africa’s total export value.

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“There are numerous opportunities for us to follow South Africa’s footprint here in Nigeria and we can and we will do so. Local motor vehicle assembly is also important because it ensures the vehicles that we designed for Africa are made in Africa and at the very best for Africa.

“Our Navara pick-up range is a fantastic case at this point. It is made in South Africa and the toughest vehicle ever designed by Nissan to make sure it is more than a match for Africa’s toughest roads.”

The event featured a cultural night tagged, ‘a Night With the Stars’ organized by the Consulate General of the Republic of South Africa.

Answering questions at the Sunday event, the Consular General, the Republic of South Africa, Dr Bobby Moroe, said the choice of celebrating the event in Nigeria was necessitated by the major role the latter played towards ending apartheid in South Africa.

He said: ‘’The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa dates back to 1946, when Nigeria became the first country in the United Nations General Assembly to chair the anti-Apartheid Committee of South Africa.

“We are creating a platform in which Nissan will not only benefit from this type of activities we are having but other partners of ours not in the same industry.

“The story of Nissan is very compelling, especially their partner in Nigeria, Stallion NMN. The new Nissan Navara Pickup designed and built for Nigerian roads, from engine, filter and fuel capacity, is technologically equipped to weather the storm in Nigeria.”