Key facts
- Chinese automaker Chery is establishing a new research and development center in the UK.
- The facility will be located at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire.
- The center is set to open in late autumn.
- Chery aims to adapt vehicles for UK roads and explore self-driving technology.
- Chery's brands (Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas) have seen rapid sales growth in the UK.
- The company has a manufacturing agreement with Nissan for its Sunderland plant.
Chinese automaker Chery is set to expand its presence in the United Kingdom with the establishment of a new research and development center in Bedfordshire. The facility, located at UTAC Millbrook, is scheduled to open in late autumn and will focus on adapting Chery's vehicles, including its Jaecoo and Omoda brands, for the specific demands of UK roads. This move is part of Chery's long-term strategy for the British market, which has seen significant growth in sales, with its brands capturing nearly 8% of market share in July, up from 3% the previous year. The company also plans to leverage the R&D center for future work on self-driving cars and artificial intelligence. Chery has already secured a deal with Nissan to manufacture its vehicles at Nissan's Sunderland plant, potentially marking the first mass-market Chinese car production in Britain from 2027. Gary Lan, CEO of Chery's UK business, stated that the company waited over 20 years for the right market entry, with ambitions extending beyond mere vehicle importation. Kirsty Andrew, VP of UTAC UK, highlighted the commitment to UK engineering and vehicle development. The arrival of Chinese manufacturers like Chery is intensifying pressure on established European carmakers, attributed to factors such as state subsidies, lower labor costs, and dominance in battery production.