Chery to Establish UK R&D Centre at UTAC Millbrook

Chery Plans New UK R&D Centre of Excellence

On August 19, Chery Automobile Co Ltd announced plans to establish a new UK R&D Centre of Excellence at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. The facility is scheduled to open in late autumn 2026 and will become part of Chery Automobile’s global research and development network. The centre is intended to strengthen Chery’s local engineering capabilities while bringing customer feedback and market-specific development requirements closer to the vehicle development process. The move also creates opportunities for Chery to recruit engineering talent in the UK and expand its technical activities over time.

Initial Focus on Chassis Dynamics and ADAS

The new facility will initially concentrate on chassis dynamics and advanced driver assistance systems tuning and calibration for UK-specification vehicles. By conducting these activities closer to the UK market, Chery aims to incorporate local customer feedback more directly into vehicle development and calibration work. The centre is also expected to provide a foundation for broader engineering activities in the future, with Chery identifying autonomous driving and artificial intelligence as potential areas for expansion. This approach will allow the company to develop capabilities that are more closely aligned with UK driving conditions and vehicle requirements.

Access to Extensive Testing Infrastructure

At UTAC Millbrook, Chery’s engineering teams will have access to more than 70 km of purpose-built test tracks and a broad range of specialised testing facilities. These include the Hill Route, Alpine Circuit and dedicated durability surfaces, as well as facilities designed for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness testing. The site also provides battery testing laboratories, powertrain testing facilities, semi-anechoic chambers, and capabilities for ADAS and autonomous vehicle testing. This infrastructure gives Chery access to a comprehensive environment for evaluating vehicle dynamics, electronic systems and emerging driver-assistance technologies.

Expansion of Chery’s UK Engineering Capability

The planned centre represents an expansion of United Kingdom-based engineering activity within Chery Automobile’s global R&D structure. Its initial technical scope is focused on chassis dynamics and ADAS calibration, but the company has indicated that the facility could develop into additional disciplines, including autonomous driving and AI. Combining local engineering talent, direct customer insight and access to specialised testing infrastructure could support more market-specific vehicle development. The centre therefore provides Chery with a dedicated platform for refining UK-specification vehicles while building broader technical capabilities in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Chery’s new UK R&D Centre of Excellence open?
The new Chery facility is scheduled to open in late autumn 2026 at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. It will be integrated into Chery Automobile’s global R&D network and initially focus on chassis dynamics and ADAS tuning and calibration for UK-specification vehicles. The centre is also intended to support local engineering recruitment and bring customer feedback closer to vehicle development. Chery has indicated that its technical scope could later expand into areas such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence as the facility develops its capabilities.

What testing capabilities will Chery access at UTAC Millbrook?
Chery’s engineering teams will have access to more than 70 km of purpose-built test tracks at UTAC Millbrook, including the Hill Route and Alpine Circuit. The site also provides specialised durability and Noise, Vibration, and Harshness testing surfaces, alongside battery and powertrain testing laboratories. Additional facilities include semi-anechoic chambers and dedicated ADAS and autonomous vehicle testing capabilities. These resources will support the development and calibration of UK-specification vehicles, particularly in chassis dynamics and advanced driver assistance systems, while providing infrastructure for potential future engineering activities.