Chery UK R&D Center to Open in Bedfordshire in 2026

Chery Plans New UK Research and Development Center

Chery will open a passenger car research and development center in Bedfordshire, England, in late fall 2026, marking its latest move to deepen its presence in the UK automotive market. The facility will initially focus on calibrating vehicles for UK driving conditions before expanding its research activities into autonomous driving and artificial intelligence. Chery said the center will also support long-term recruitment of local talent and create high-skilled jobs. The company described the facility as “the next step in our long-term plan for the UK,” according to a statement from Chery International UK CEO Gary Lan cited by the Financial Times.

R&D Center to Support UK Vehicle Localization

The Bedfordshire location provides Chery with access to an established automotive engineering and motorsport ecosystem, with several existing research and development facilities operating in the area. Initial engineering work will concentrate on adapting and calibrating Chery vehicles for UK driving conditions, supporting the company’s broader localization strategy. Gary Lan previously said at the FT Future of the Car Summit in May that establishing an R&D center would represent an important step toward localizing Chery’s operations in the UK. The company intends to build its local capabilities over the long term, with engineering activities eventually extending into autonomous driving and AI technologies.

Chery Links UK R&D Expansion With Future Manufacturing

Chery’s UK R&D investment is part of a wider localization strategy that is also moving toward vehicle manufacturing. In June, Chery signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nissan for Nissan to build passenger cars for Chery at its Sunderland plant in the UK. Nissan plans to begin producing Chery models at Sunderland from 2027 using the facility’s currently idle Line One. If implemented as planned, the arrangement would represent the first large-scale local production by a Chinese car brand in the UK. The combination of local engineering and planned manufacturing would give Chery a broader operational footprint beyond importing vehicles into the market.

Chery and Its Brands Increase UK Market Presence

Chery is rapidly increasing its presence in the UK passenger car market through its own operations and brands including Omoda and Jaecoo. Together, Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo accounted for almost 8% of the UK market in July, compared with about 3% a year earlier, based on Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data cited by the Financial Times. The expansion comes alongside Chery’s broader European strategy. In February, the company launched its Lepas brand, which was developed specifically for European markets. The growing UK sales contribution provides a commercial foundation for Chery’s investment in local engineering, employment and future manufacturing capabilities.

Chery Overseas Exports Continue to Accelerate

Chery’s international expansion is being supported by rapidly increasing overseas exports. The group sold approximately 276,820 vehicles globally in July 2026, including 202,533 exported vehicles, with exports increasing 70% year on year. The July result made Chery the first Chinese automaker to export more than 200,000 vehicles in a single month. The overseas sales trajectory also shows a substantial increase during 2026, rising from 119,605 vehicles in January to 202,533 in July. This export momentum is strengthening Chery’s position in international markets while supporting its strategy of establishing deeper local operations in regions such as Europe.

Chery Group Monthly Overseas Sales 2024–2026

The monthly overseas sales data highlights the acceleration of Chery Group’s international business during 2026. Overseas sales reached 119,605 vehicles in January and increased progressively through the first seven months of the year, reaching 202,533 vehicles in July. The 2026 figures were also substantially higher than the corresponding monthly results recorded in 2024 and 2025. July represented a particularly significant milestone because overseas exports exceeded 200,000 vehicles in a single month for the first time for a Chinese automaker. The available figures through July therefore provide a clear indication of the scale and pace of Chery’s international expansion.

UK Expansion Strengthens Chery’s European Strategy

The planned Bedfordshire R&D center, Sunderland manufacturing arrangement and growing sales across Chery’s brands collectively indicate a deeper commitment to the UK market. Rather than relying solely on vehicle imports, Chery is building capabilities spanning engineering, product localization, employment and potentially manufacturing. The company’s plans also align with its wider European expansion, including the introduction of the Lepas brand for European markets. For Chery, establishing local engineering expertise could help tailor vehicles more effectively to regional requirements while creating a foundation for future technology development in areas such as autonomous driving and AI. The UK therefore represents an increasingly important part of the company’s international growth strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Chery open its UK research and development center?
Chery plans to open its new UK research and development center in Bedfordshire in late fall 2026, initially focusing on vehicle calibration for UK driving conditions. The facility is expected to become an important part of Chery’s localization strategy in the country. Over time, the company plans to expand research activities into autonomous driving and artificial intelligence while recruiting local engineering talent and creating high-skilled jobs. The center is also intended to support Chery’s broader UK expansion, which includes plans for local passenger car production through its agreement with Nissan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will Chery vehicles be manufactured in the UK?
Chery has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nissan for passenger cars to be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK. Production is planned to begin from 2027 using Sunderland’s currently idle Line One. The arrangement is expected to support Chery’s transition from an import-focused presence toward greater local manufacturing. If implemented as planned, it would represent the first large-scale local production by a Chinese car brand in the UK. The manufacturing initiative complements Chery’s planned Bedfordshire R&D center and forms part of its broader strategy to localize operations in the British market.