Chery opens new UK R&D centre as part of ‘long-term’ growth plan
New facility is based at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire.
Chinese manufacturing firm Chery is set to open a new research and development centre in Bedfordshire.
Forming part of the brand’s ‘long-term strategic growth plan for the UK’, the new facility is located within the UTAC Millbrook proving ground where many car manufacturers put their latest vehicles to the test.
Due to open this autumn, the centre will look at the development of chassis and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems – or ADAS – alongside specific tuning for UK-bound vehicles.
Chery, which is one of China’s largest car manufacturers, has recently launched in the UK as its own brand. However, it also owns Omoda, Jaecoo and Lepas, which already have a presence here.
Gary Lan, CEO of Chery International UK, said: “The establishment of our UK R&D Centre of Excellence is the next step in our long-term plan for the UK. We waited over 20 years for the right time to enter this market, and our ambition has always gone much further than simply bringing vehicles here.
“Our approach is ‘In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere’: building a lasting presence, investing in local capability and developing products around the people who drive them. With Omoda&Jaecoo established, Chery growing and Lepas to follow, that local capability is increasingly important.”
Chery will be able to utilise the 43 miles of test track at the Bedfordshire site, which also include special areas developed to test durability alongside Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) surfaces.
Just last month, Chery became the first Chinese automaker to exceed 200,000 exports in a single month.