Nissan Daring Africa expedition heads for Cairo

A convoy of Nissan Navara bakkies, representing the entire range that is manufactured in South Africa, left Rosslyn in Pretoria, Nissan’s African LCV manufacturing hub, at the end of March on an eight-country odyssey that will culminate in Cairo.

Daring Africa 2024 aims to prove that the Nissan range of bakkies has been built to withstand the most severe road conditions in Africa. The Nissan Navara has been substantially localised for African conditions, with a reinforced chassis, very different suspension and the best roll over angle on the market.

Nissan’s plant in Rosslyn has evolved into Nissan’s LCV manufacturing hub for Africa, with the Navara’s that are built here being sold across Africa, including in new markets such as Algeria and Libya. Soon the Navara range will be launched in Egypt too.

“The odyssey allows Nissan to showcase a vehicle that we are very proud of in a series of immersive events on the way to Cairo. We are proving our promise that the entire range of the Nissan Navara which we build on the continent, is equal to the severest road conditions that Africa has to offer as we connect our two manufacturing hubs on either side of the continent,” said Nissan African Head of Communications and PR, Ramy Mohareb.

Daring Africa 2024 is a celebration of the Nissan vehicles built in Africa. The journey will link the African bakkie manufacturing hub in South Africa with Nissan’s Passenger Vehicle assembly plant in Cairo, while showcasing the incredible partner network that Nissan have along the route.

At its first stop on the Daring Africa route, the expedition of five Nissan Navara bakkies and an X-Trail SUV arrived in the capital of Mozambique. From Mozambique the expedition will head to Zimbabwe, then Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya before transitioning to Egypt.

“This is an important initiative for us, we are showcasing the Navara in some of our existing markets, while opening brand new ones for the vehicle in North Africa. This is a wonderful platform to showcase Nissan’s footprint on the continent, while celebrating our impressive bakkie legacy,” says Nissan Managing Director for South Africa and Independent Markets Africa, Maciej Klenkiewicz.

The expedition is proof of Nissan’s continued commitment to the continent. Being the only automotive manufacturer to have wholly owned manufacturing plants in Egypt and South Africa, including an extensive continent-wide dealer network, is testament to this commitment, and Nissan are using this Daring Africa expedition to recognise and celebrate their dealers and partners along the way.