Jaecoo owner Chery takes 'next step' in UK push with R&D centre
Guardian AU Business
β’Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:12:36 GMT
π° What Happened
Chinese carmaker Chery, which makes the Jaecoo and Omoda brands, announced it will open a new research and development centre in Bedfordshire, England, in late autumn, describing it as "the next step in our long-term plan" for Britain as it also moves toward manufacturing cars in the UK. The new facility at Millbrook will give Chery access to test tracks to fine-tune its cars for UK roads. Chery's UK sales are growing rapidly, with its three brands accounting for nearly 8% of UK market share in July, up from 3% a year earlier.
π The Backstory
Chery, part-owned by the Chinese state, had its Jaecoo 7 - nicknamed the "Temu Range Rover" for its low price - become the top-selling model in the UK in March, and it has signed a deal with Nissan to build cars at the Sunderland plant from 2027, which would be the first mass-market Chinese car production in Britain.
π― Why It Matters
Chery's expansion signals the accelerating entry of Chinese carmakers into the UK and European markets, with implications for local manufacturing, employment and competition among established automakers.
Chinese carmaker Chery, which makes the Jaecoo and Omoda brands, announced it will open a new research and development centre in Bedfordshire, England, in late autumn, describing it as "the next step in our long-term plan" for Britain as it also moves toward manufacturing cars in the UK. The new facility at Millbrook will give Chery access to test tracks to fine-tune its cars for UK roads. Chery's UK sales are growing rapidly, with its three brands accounting for nearly 8% of UK market share in July, up from 3% a year earlier.
Chery, part-owned by the Chinese state, had its Jaecoo 7 - nicknamed the "Temu Range Rover" for its low price - become the top-selling model in the UK in March, and it has signed a deal with Nissan to build cars at the Sunderland plant from 2027, which would be the first mass-market Chinese car production in Britain.
Chery's expansion signals the accelerating entry of Chinese carmakers into the UK and European markets, with implications for local manufacturing, employment and competition among established automakers.