Johannesburg, South Africa – The Renault-Nissan Alliance has confirmed a new joint manufacturing project in South Africa. The project, at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, marks the first time that a Renault vehicle will be produced in South Africa.

The companies will invest 1 billion rand, or approximately 80 million Euros, to adapt two cars to the right-hand drive South African market, and to prepare the plant and develop the local components and accessories supply chain. Current production output at the plant is 40,000 units per year, which will increase to 68,000 units in 2009 as a result of the investment. Production will be initially sold in the local market.

The plant will initially produce the new Nissan NP200 half-ton pickup and Renault Sandero hatchback. Future products will include the Twingo compact car and the Koleos, Renault’s first crossover, which is set for launch in South Africa in 2008. The Rosslyn plant was initially established by Nissan in 1963.