Nissan is bringing breakthrough new technologies, local favorites, and industry expertise to the first-ever South African Auto Week, and guests will get to see it all firsthand. The inaugural SA Auto Week, taking place between October 25 and 28 is the local automotive industry’s premium networking and thought leadership conference, where the sector’s key players will drive interactions around the topic “Reimagining the Future Together.” The Rise of the African Automobile Industry.’
Nissan will join other industry executives and regulatory organizations at the Kyalami International Convention Centre for the four-day event, which will feature the company’s newest vehicles and panel discussions about sustainability and the future of the African automotive manufacturing sector.
Attendees will be able to test drive the all-new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, a third-generation vehicle that boasts smoother acceleration as well as a responsive, efficient, and quiet drive.
“The Qashqai e-POWER gives the undeniable joy of electric driving without the necessity for charging, removing the stress of city driving.” “We feel it is a critical lever in Africa’s practical transition from ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) to EVs,”
says Kabelo Rabotho, Nissan SA Country Director.
Guests attending SA Auto Week will also have the opportunity to test drive Nissan’s newest versions of iconic vehicles, including the locally made and award-winning Nissan Navara. The Nissan Navara is now being manufactured in Nissan Africa’s light commercial vehicle hub in South Africa, following an R3 billion investment by the Japanese automaker in the manufacturing factory. The Navara is also built in Ghana by Japan Motors, a long-time Nissan partner and distributor.
“We are honored to present these automobiles, designed in Africa for Africans, during SA Auto Week.” “We look forward to continuing with debates that shape our industry for the better as leaders in the fostering of a sustainable car sector,”
says Rabotho.
Two Nissan executives will participate in a series of industry-building panel discussions as part of the event’s thought leadership indaba. Rabotho will lead a breakaway session on “Recycling of New Technologies to Reduce Waste and Protect the Environment,” with a focus on the industry’s sustainable business practices. Meanwhile, Nissan Africa Managing Director Mike Whitfield will provide his knowledge to a panel debate on driving the development of the African auto industry.
“As a proudly African company, we will continue to contribute to the advancement of this industry by investing in people, our industry, and, by extension, our country.”
We can gain a competitive edge as a strategic participant in the continental and global automotive sectors by investing in talent development and encouraging essential dialogues like the ones we’ll be having at SA Auto Week. “This is our commitment to Africa,”
Rabotho says.