Chinese carmaker Chery to open UK research and development centre
Chinese automaker Chery has announced a new research and development centre in England as part of its expanding UK operations. The facility will be based at the existing UTAC Millbrook testing site in Bedfordshire and is set to open in late autumn.
Chery, the Chinese carmaker behind the Jaecoo and Omoda brands, is opening a new research and development centre in England, describing it as the next phase of its long-term strategy for the UK market, where it also intends to begin local manufacturing.
The company's UK sales have surged rapidly: in July, the Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo brands together held nearly 8% of the UK market, up from 3% a year earlier, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Jaecoo 7, a China-built hybrid electric model nicknamed the "Temu Range Rover" for its low price and tech features, became the UK's best-selling model in March, though it is currently imported rather than built locally.
Chery is partly owned by the Chinese state and has already struck a deal with Nissan to produce its vehicles at Nissan's Sunderland plant, a step expected to mark the start of mass Chinese car production in Britain from 2027.
The new R&D centre will open in late autumn at UTAC Millbrook, an established vehicle testing site in Bedfordshire also used by engineering and motorsport firms and the Ministry of Defence. The location gives Chery access to more than 70km of purpose-built test tracks to adapt its vehicles for UK road conditions, with plans to later expand into self-driving technology and artificial intelligence research.
The rapid rise of Chinese manufacturers has put significant pressure on established European rivals, as Chinese firms can undercut competitors on electric vehicles thanks to state subsidies, lower labour costs and dominance of the battery supply chain. Chery also introduced its fourth UK brand, Lepas, aimed at younger families in the European market, last February.
The company said it eventually plans to hire local talent and create engineering jobs in the area, but did not disclose planned investment levels or the number of jobs expected.
