Chinese carmaker Chery to set up UK research centre

Chinese automaker Chery is planning to establish a research and development center in the UK, specifically in Bedfordshire, as part of their long-term strategy for the British market. The company, which manufactures the Jaecoo and Omoda brands, stated that this move is aimed at refining their vehicles to meet the specific demands of UK roads and drivers.

The new R&D facility, situated at the existing UTAC Millbrook testing center, will provide Chery with access to a network of over 70km of purpose-built test tracks. These facilities will enable the company to fine-tune their cars for the UK market and pave the way for future development in self-driving cars and artificial intelligence.

Chery's sales in the UK have been on a rapid rise, accounting for nearly 8% of the market in July, up from 3% last year. This growth has been driven by popular models such as the Jaecoo 7, a hybrid electric vehicle often referred to as the "Temu Range Rover" due to its affordability and advanced technology features. This particular model even became the top-selling vehicle in the UK in March 2023.

Currently, Chery has to import these vehicles from China, but the company is working towards manufacturing them locally. They recently signed a deal with Nissan to begin mass production at Nissan's Sunderland plant, which is set to commence in 2027. This partnership marks the first time Chinese automakers will have a significant presence in British car manufacturing.

The new R&D center is a significant investment in engineering and vehicle development for the UK, according to Kirsty Andrew, vice-president of UTAC UK. Chery plans to hire local talent and create engineering jobs in the area, although the company did not disclose the exact budget or the number of positions to be filled.