Nissan’s UK factory could soon build Chinese cars
Nissan has signed an MoU with Chery to explore whether it could let the latter brand build its cars at its UK factory.
The push by Chinese car brands to produce their vehicles in Europe and the UK is well and truly underway, following an announcement by Nissan and Chery this week.
Nissan, which operates a car factory in the UK, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chery International UK to study the potential for the Chinese carmaker to produce its cars at the former’s Sunderland Plant.
The Sunderland Plant, operating as Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, has been in operation since 1984, and has recently made the Qashqai, Juke and Leaf for not only the regional but also some global markets, building approximately 300,000 vehicles annually.
However, last month Nissan announced it would consolidate its manufacturing operations onto a single production line, as it was investigating how it could better use the capacity of the factory.
If the MoU goes ahead, Nissan will remain in full ownership of the Sunderland Plant, and the staff at the facility will also be employed by the Japanese carmaker.
According to Nissan, Chery could begin manufacturing its passenger vehicles as early as the 2027 financial year, which runs from April 1, 2027 until March 31, 2028.
“This is an important step forward for our operations,” said Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, Oceania).
“We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalise a position that is optimal for both companies.”
It’s understood that, if the deal goes ahead, Chery’s vehicles will be right-hand drive and sold in the UK, opening up the possibility of imports to Australia, though our already close relationship with China would make this a tricky proposition.
It is not yet known whether the vehicles will be badged as Chery’s own, or under its Jaecoo and/or Omoda brands, which in the UK are separate.
Jordan Mulach
Chery only arrived in the UK in 2024, though Automotive News reports that it and its subsidiary brands have already racked up a six per cent market share to start 2026, passing the likes of Ford, Toyota and Nissan.
The Chinese car giant has been searching for a brand to help manufacture its cars in the UK for some time, with reports emerging last year that it was looking to build vehicles in the UK at factories owned by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Earlier this year it was announced Chery would take over Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in South Africa, while it took over Nissan’s former factory in Barcelona, Spain in recent months.
