Nissan is set to showcase its innovative new technology and industry expertise to the first-ever South African Auto Week event.
The global automobile company made the announcement on the Nissan website today, assuring that participants would get to enjoy the first-hand experience.
South Africa Auto Week
The maiden SA Auto Week organized by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) would bring together the world’s industry giants and other stakeholders to South Africa for futuristic and ground-breaking conversations and potential business opportunities.
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The International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers [OICA] General Assembly and its Council meeting in Johannesburg will also be hosted at SA Auto Week scheduled to hold between 24-28 October 2022. Discussions at the event will focus on the theme “REIMAGINING THE FUTURE TOGETHER | ‘The Rise of the African Auto Industry: investing in new energy vehicles, infrastructure, and people.’”
The schedule for the event includes Pre-Activation Activities; 3-day Thought Leadership Indaba, OICA General Assembly, Careers | Skills Development, Enterprise and Supplier Development, Captains of Industry Dinner, Driving Carnival, Media Activations as well as NAAMSA Accelerator Awards.
NISSAN’s Showcase
Nissan would be alongside other industry leaders and regulatory bodies at the Kyalami International Convention centre for the five-day event. The Japanese brand aims at showcasing its state-of-the-art vehicles and will participate in panel discussions around sustainability and the future of the African automotive manufacturing industry.
At the auto week, guests would have the opportunity to test drive the new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, the all-new third-generation model which offers smoother acceleration as well as a responsive, efficient, and noiseless drive.
The Country Director for Nissan South Africa, Kabelo Rabotho, explained that the company’s Qashqai e-POWER is a revolutionary vehicle that will further display Africa’s transition to adopt electronic cars.
According to him, “The Qashqai e-POWER delivers the unmistakable pleasure of electric driving without the need to recharge – taking the stress out of urban driving. We believe it is a key lever in the practical transition for Africa from ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) to EVs.”
The latest versions of Nissan’s classic models, including the locally produced and award-winning Nissan Navara, will be on display at the auto week for attendees to experience.
The Nissan Navara is at present being produced at Nissan Africa’s light commercial vehicle hub in South Africa, following an R3 Billion investment in the manufacturing plant by the Asian automobile company. The Navara is also assembled in Ghana with long-time Nissan partner and distributor Japan Motors.
According to Rabotho, “We are proud to showcase these vehicles, made in Africa for Africans, at SA Auto Week. As leaders in the nurturing of a sustainable auto sector, we look forward to continuing with discourses that shape our industry for the better.”
As part of the lineup of events, two Nissan executive team members will be part of a series of industry-building panel discussions. Rabotho will be chairing a breakaway session on “Recycling of New Technologies to Reduce Waste and Protect the Environment”, with a focus on sustainable business practices in the industry. On the other hand, Nissan Africa Managing Director, Mike Whitfield, will be lending his expertise to a discussion session on driving the development of the auto industry across Africa.
Nissan’s Operation In Africa
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is an automobile company that supplies innovative and exciting models across the hatchback, SUV, sedan and pickup segments in Africa, with three operational hubs and factories on the continent ̶ Egypt in northern Africa, Nigeria and South Africa in Sub-Sahara Africa ̶.
Nissan South Africa is the operational hub for the Sub-Saharan Regional Business Unit. In South Africa, the firm offers a range of 24 vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands, including the popular locally-produced Nissan light commercial vehicles – the NP200 half-ton pickup and NP300 one-ton Hardbody – produced at the Rosslyn plant, Northwest of Pretoria.
Nissan is targeting significant growth on the African continent with a robust sales network and expanded product range introduced in emerging markets with innovative vehicles across the board, including award-winning models such as the Qashqai and X-Trail.