Nissan extends tentacles into Zim

Nissan has partnered with five Zimbabwean dealerships in Harare as part of its new Dealer Direct distribution strategy. Nissan South Africa has set up a new Dealer Direct distribution strategy that will allow the South African branch of the company to conduct dealing with the five distributors in Zimbabwe. The dealerships are Amalgamated Motor Corporation (AMC), Clover Leaf Motors, Croco Motors, Golden Stairs Garage and Amtec Motors.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership yesterday, Nissan Sub Saharan Africa general manager Jim Dando said the partnership would strengthen the brand within the country.

“Nissan has experienced significant growth in the Zimbabwean market and it now commands 22 percent of the market.

“There is a growing middle class in Africa and automotive firms similar to Nissan are targeting this market. Zimbabwe is an important market in Nissan’s Power 88 Africa growth strategy aimed at doubling sales and significantly increasing market share on the continent by 2016,” he said.

Dando added that Nissan is set to release 18 new products in the Zimbabwean market within the next four years.

Nissan is set to launch 18 new products between now and 2018. Some of the new products to be launched include new versions of the Qashqai and the X-Trail. Nissan will also bring back the Datsun brand through the Datsun Go hatchback.

“The Datsun Go will be available in Zimbabwe from November. These new products will all be released through the five local dealers,” he said.

Nissan, however said it will not be establishing a manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe because the duty environment does not support a manufacturing plant.

Clover Leaf Motors chief executive officer Stanford Sibanda said at the launch the partnership will improve relations between the Zimbabwean and South African motor industries as well as the experience of Nissan customers within the country.

“The new Direct Dealer arrangement will result in significant benefits to Nissan customers in Zimbabwe. Direct dealings with Nissan South Africa will result in more competitive prices for Nissan vehicles, improved service levels for Nissan customers and a better understanding of the Zimbabwean motor market by Nissan South Africa,” said Sibanda. — BH24.