Chery's UK Investment
Chery Establishes UK R&D Centre of Excellence in Bedfordshire, Targets Future Local Manufacturing
Key Points
UTAC Millbrook is a major testing facility widely used by the Ministry of Defence and the motor industry, giving Chery direct access to established engineering expertise and testing environments to develop and validate vehicles tailored for UK roads.
Chery and Nissan are pursuing a non-binding memorandum of understanding that could see Sunderland plant’s idle Line One production line used to build Chery models from next year.
Chery expanded its European strategy with the February launch of Lepas, a brand designed specifically for European markets as part of its UK/Europe push.
Chinese automakers collectively held about 15% of UK new-car registrations in the first half of 2026, underscoring the rapid market penetration that Chery and peers are pursuing in Europe.
Chinese automaker Chery Automobile will open a UK Research and Development Centre of Excellence at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire, with the facility set to launch in late autumn 2026, according to AM Online and GB News. The move is part of what Chery calls a "major expansion" of its global R&D network, with a direct focus on tailoring vehicles for British roads.
The announcement comes as Chinese brands collectively held around 15% of UK new-car registrations in the first half of 2026, signalling how quickly Chinese automakers are reshaping the European market, Daily Mail reported.
UTAC Millbrook: A World-Class Testing Base for Chery
UTAC Millbrook is no ordinary site. The Bedfordshire proving ground is a major testing facility used by the Ministry of Defence and the wider motor industry, AM Online reported. It gives Chery direct access to established engineering expertise and world-class test environments without building from scratch.
The centre will initially focus on chassis tuning and driver-assistance systems, calibrating Chery's vehicles for UK driving conditions. GB News described the facility as the "next step" in the brand's UK push, with future plans to expand into autonomous driving and artificial intelligence research.
Sunderland Deal Could Put Chery Cars on a Nissan Line
Chery is also in talks to use spare production capacity at Nissan's Sunderland plant. The two companies are pursuing a non-binding memorandum of understanding, Daily Mail reported. Under the deal, Nissan's idle Line One could be used to build Chery models as early as next year.
Chery has framed the R&D centre as a stepping stone toward local manufacturing in the UK. Recruiting British talent and creating high-skilled engineering jobs is central to that plan, according to AOL News.
Omoda, Jaecoo, and a New Brand Built for Europe
Chery's UK push spans several brands. Its Omoda and Jaecoo labels have grown quickly in the British market. In February 2026, Chery also launched Lepas, a brand designed specifically for European buyers, as part of a broader continental strategy, Yahoo Finance reported.
The multi-brand approach lets Chery target different buyer segments at the same time. Omoda targets younger, tech-focused drivers, while Jaecoo leans into the SUV and outdoor lifestyle market. Lepas is designed to feel more native to European tastes from the ground up.
A Coordinated Push to Localise and Scale UK Operations
Chery's strategy is deliberate and layered. It combines local R&D, potential local manufacturing, and homegrown talent to build a durable UK presence. AOL News described the Bedfordshire centre as a key part of a "major expansion" of Chery's global engineering footprint.
The broader picture is striking. Chinese automakers are no longer just exporting cars to the UK. They are now engineering, building, and hiring locally. With 15% of UK new-car registrations already in Chinese hands in early 2026, Chery's moves suggest that share is only going to grow.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
18
Articles
31
Reach
49
