Nissan Zimbabwe’s market share increase

NISSAN Zimbabwe recorded a market share of 32 percent in Zimbabwe and is planning to extend its range of vehicles to consolidate its position on the local market.

Nissan has been in Zimbabwe for 52 years.

Linda Mazimhaka, Senior Sub-Sahara Sales & Operations Regional Business Manager at Nissan SA said Zimbabwe is an immensely special place for the Nissan Group of Africa.

“We have been here continuously since we opened our first showroom in 1967, 52 years ago, but it’s also a country where we are the undisputed market leaders,” she said.

“Next year promises to be even better as we extend this range of affordable intelligent mobility as well as starting the production of our highly acclaimed Nissan Navara from our South African production facility in Rosslyn outside Pretoria joining the Hardbodies and NP200s that are made there for this market and more than 40 others in Africa,” Mazimhaka said.

She said this step was important because the company is not just evangelists for Nissan Intelligent Mobility creating vehicles at the cutting edge of technology, but also firm believers in creating vehicles for Africa, by Africans in Africa.

“When we produce cars, they are made with our motoring realities in mind; the severity of the roads and the quality of the fuel and because of that we don’t compromise on their performance, their lifespan or their safety features,” she said.

“When you buy a Nissan from us, it comes with this peace of mind guarantee and the assurance that Croco, Clover Leaf, Amtec and AMC have the necessary skilled technicians and available spare parts to keep your vehicles on the road all the time,” Mazimhaka said.

There are many reasons why people buy Nissans in Zimbabwe; the mainstay of the company’s success has been the legendary NP 300 hardbody, followed by the smaller utility NP200, but the organiation’s range extends far beyond that.

“We were very excited by the reception that our roll out of the relaunched Datsun marque received earlier this year in the country because of course Datsun was a much-loved brand in this country and indeed across Africa,” she said.

She warned the market against, grey imports as they were a scourge in Africa, a problem from both an environmental issue and a safety issue because they were not built for this continent.

“When you buy a Nissan from us, it comes with this peace of mind guarantee and the assurance that Croco, Clover Leaf, Amtec and AMC have the necessary skilled technicians and available spare parts to keep your vehicles on the road all the time.”

Going forward, Mazimhaka said Africa remains the final automotive frontier despite the economic challenges that most countries on the continent are facing.

Motorisation rates are the lowest in the world with a growing middle class and the world’s youngest population. When the rise starts, it will be fast and it will be unstoppable.

“We intend to be part of that, helping countries that want to partner with us to create indigenous automotive industries with huge benefits both downstream and upstream; diversifying their economies, kick-starting industrialisation and creating jobs and wealth in the process.”

Nissan said it was looking forward to having serious conversations about opportunities to introduce their world leading electric vehicle technology in the shape of the LEAF 2. Africa has much to offer the world and we have much to offer Africa.

“Here in Zimbabwe, with the team that we have here, building on the proud legacy that exists. I have no doubt that we are in good hands. They must have no doubt – and nor must you – of our determination to stand with them and you shoulder to shoulder as we do everything we can to help manage this crisis to be ready for the good times that will surely follow,” she said.