Contrary to its popularity in Mzansi, Nissan has had to pull the plug on the Rosslyn-produced NP200 but the factory that produced it will reportedly continue with another bakkie from March. Here is what we know so far.
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After 16 years of production, Nissan will cease producing the unibody NP200 in South Africa by March. Nothing within the Nissan stables is ready to pick up where the venerated open-bed model leaves off but our sources claim that a new bakkie will take the reigns at the Rosslyn plant.
After a 16-year heritage, the production of NP200 will end in South Africa in March 2024 following the end of its extended lifecycle. No immediate replacement model is planned, although Nissan is currently evaluating other alternatives in line with the ambitions of its Africa Mid Term plan. – Nissan South Africa.
Official: Nissan is Putting the NP200 Bakkie to Pasture After 16 Years
With speculation that another LHD half-tonne bakkie could fill the gap in the market, Nissan has reportedly struck a deal with Mahindra to commence production of one of their models which will take over once the last NP200s are rolled off the production line. The Mahindra bakkies will reportedly be CKD (completely knocked down) and assembled locally in addition to their Durban-based assembly plant. As a recap, Mahindra currently has an assembly facility in partnership with the Dube Tradeport which is a special economic zone (SEZ) under the control of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Related: Unibody Bakkies that Could Replace the Nissan NP200
After reaching out, Nissan has been unable to provide any statement on this matter yet, neither confirming nor denying the rumour as their future plans for the NP200 production line. Once production of the model ceases, South Africa will have a gaping hole in the market for an entry-level and affordable, unibody single cab bakkie. Both Volkswagen and Fiat have shown interest however not in the short term, with potential models only arriving towards the end of the decade.
