Chery to produce cars in Nissan’s largest UK plant by 2027

MANILA: Chery International is looking to produce cars in the United Kingdom (UK) via a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nissan. 

Under the aforementioned MoU, Chery will be able to roll out its lineup of passenger vehicles from Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Limited in Sunderland. 

Notably, Nissan will maintain full ownership of the factory, while Chery vehicles will be rolled out on the plant’s production Line One. On the other hand, Nissan shared that it will consolidate its manufacturing operations on Line Two in order to “secure better plant utilization.” 

The target date for the aforementioned is 2027, and as of this publishing, the MoU remains non-binding. Additionally, no further details of the plan were disclosed, as Chery and Nissan are still ironing out the specifics of this “plant sharing” initiative. 

“This is an important step forward for our operations. We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalize a position that is optimal for both companies,” Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania (AMIEO) Chairperson Massimiliano Messina said. 

For those curious, the Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Limited facility in Sunderland is touted as the single biggest car production plant in the UK. At the moment, Nissan’s UK plant makes examples of the Juke and the Qashqai. 

Together with its off-site design office in London and its research and development center in Cranfield, it employs a total of 7,000 people. 

To recall, Chery is set to acquire Nissan's South Africa manufacturing facility this year. 

Unlike the more recent MoU between Chery and Nissan for the UK, the South African deal is a "full asset turnover." So, in addition to Nissan's South Africa factory, Chery South Africa also offered employment packages to the aforementioned workers. 

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Chery in PH

At the moment, Chery Auto Philippines, under the management and distributorship of the United Asia Automotive Group Incorporated (UAAGI), has not disclosed any plans to expand its manufacturing footprint in the local market. 

Other brands under the UAAGI umbrella, however, do have local manufacturing capabilities. Specifically, Foton already operates an ISO-certified assembly plant in the Clark Freeport Zone. The said facility puts together imported parts to produce locally available versions of the Thunder, Traveller, Gratour series, Harabas, and its selection of light to heavy-duty trucks. 

Going back to Chery Auto Philippines, its latest product for the local market is the QEV, which was showcased at the 10th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). 

As a hatchback, the Chery QEV was designed as an in-city vehicle with high levels of advanced driver-assist systems and creature comforts. In terms of range, it can cover up to 405 kilometers, according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). It also has a fast charging capability and a vehicle-to-load function. 

For now, the Chery QEV is available for reservations. Once introduced, it will retail at P1.12 million. 

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