Nissan Produces Chery
Nissan Explores Manufacturing Chery Cars at Sunderland Plant from 2027
Nissan has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chery International UK to explore contract manufacturing Chery passenger vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. Under the terms discussed, the Sunderland facility would remain fully owned by Nissan, with the workforce employed by Nissan, and Nissan would aim to start producing Chery cars on production Line One in the 2027 financial year. The MoU is exploratory and subject to further talks between the companies before any final decision is made. Nissan has recently consolidated production onto Line Two and shifted models to free up capacity, a move it says is intended to improve plant utilisation. Nissan and Chery are now expected to continue working through details in the coming months to reach an arrangement that works for both sides.
Key Points
Nissan is described as aiming to begin building Chinese cars at the Sunderland plant “from next year,” as part of the Chery partnership, even though the MoU is non-binding and final details are still pending.
Nissan’s capacity reorganisation is linked to a “significant global cost-cutting programme”: it shut a production line and moved the Leaf and Qashqai/Juke SUVs to Line Two, opening up available capacity for third parties.
Nissan AMIEO chairperson Massimiliano Messina said: “This is an important step forward for our operations,” adding that Nissan is “looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalise a position that is optimal for both companies.”
Industry reporting framed the agreement as a contract-manufacturing study that would, if a deal is reached, see the “first UK-produced Chery vehicle” roll off Sunderland’s Line One in the 2027 financial year.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
34
Articles
69
Reach
103
