Nissan, BMW, VW in talks to help South Africa switch to electric vehicles

South Africa has long been a hub for global automaking, attracting plants operated by seven carmakers from Toyota Motor Corp to Isuzu Motors Ltd

Nissan Motor Co., BMW AG and Volkswagen AG are among carmakers in talks to bring the electric-car revolution to South Africa, as the nation’s auto-factory floors risk being left behind in the global switch to greener vehicles.

The industry is preparing a unified stance on electrification to present to the government by the end of the year, Mike Mabasa, chief executive officer of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, or Naamsa, said in an interview.

Among the goals is persuading lawmakers to reduce or drop a 23 per cent import tariff on electric vehicles to help ramp