The Nissan NP200, one of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles, is being discontinued.
Nissan South Africa recently announced that it would cease production of the bakkie at its Rosslyn Plant near Pretoria in March 2024, bringing an end to its 16-year run on the market, TimesLive reports.
The company has no immediate plans for a replacement, but is currently investigating alternatives in line with its Africa Mid-Term Plan, it said.
Farewell
The Nissan NP200 has been one of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles since it went first went into production in 2008, owing to its rather unique place within the market.
Unlike the other most popular bakkies in the country, such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max, which are most well-known for their upper-tier double cabs, the NP200 is geared towards the more affordable end of the market with a starting price of R234,000.
It is, in fact, the only half-tonne bakkie left in South Africa, which consequently means it has been serving a niche sector as a practical and affordable model well-suited for small businesses, self-employed individuals, and anyone else looking for a pick-up’s utility without wishing to break the bank.
For those who would like to purchase one before it’s dropped from the market, it’s helpful to know that there are two versions available, though the only difference is that one comes with air conditioning, raising the price to R253,800.
The front-wheel-drive single cab is equipped with a 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol engine with an output of 64kW and 128Nm – enough power to let it carry 800kg in the back and tow up to 650kg.
Its load bed measures 1,807mm in length and 1,200mm in width, contributing to the Nissan’s overall dimensions of 4,499mm (l), 1,735mm (w), and 1,554mm (h). It also has a turning circle of 11.25m, a ground clearance of 177mm, and a wheelbase of 2,905mm.
Gear changes are handled by a five-speed manual box, and its fuel consumption works out to 8.1l/100km.
Feature-wise, the NP200 comes with a rubberised load bed, eight exterior tie-down brackets, six tie-down brackets inside the load bed, vinyl and cloth upholstery, two airbags, ABS, and wire preparation for the installation of a radio.
What are the alternatives
The NP200’s discontinuation, following on from the NP300’s cancellation in 2022, means Nissan’s light commercial fleet will now solely consist of its Navara range, where the cheapest model clocks in at R362,500.
The good news is that South Africa will soon be getting its first new compact bakkie in years from one of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance members in the form of the Renault Oroch, which is scheduled to go on sale in 2024.
Based on the Renault Duster, the Oroch is expected to offer a much wider range of options than the NP200, with a manual and CVT transmission, and 2WD and 4WD layouts.
Its 1.3-litre, turbo-petrol engine generates 115kW and 270Nm, and its load bay is certified for up to 650kg of cargo.
It’s also likely to have far more equipment than the Nissan, including items like electric windows, a leather multifunction steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, and an 8-inch infotainment screen.
It is currently unclear how much the Renault’s various improvements will raise its price relative to the NP200’s R234,000 tag, bearing in mind that its affordable sticker price is one of the main reasons why the small bakkie has had a dominant market share for so long.
Further details surrounding the Renault Oroch, including its pricing and finalized specifications, will only be revealed closer to its launch date next year.
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