8:37 am, August 20, 2026
Chinese carmaker Chery has the famous UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground as the site for a new research and development centre.
The Bedfordshire-based test track is used by many manufacturers across the automotive sector to develop future products, and for Chery, the new R&D centre forms part of its ‘long-term strategic growth plan for the UK’.
Due to open this autumn, the centre will look at the development of chassis and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems – or ADAS – alongside specific tuning for UK-bound vehicles.
Chery, which is one of China’s largest car manufacturers, has recently launched in the UK as its own brand. However, it also owns Omoda, Jaecoo and Lepas, which already have a presence here.
Gary Lan, CEO of Chery International UK, said: ‘The establishment of our UK R&D Centre of Excellence is the next step in our long-term plan for the UK. We waited over 20 years for the right time to enter this market, and our ambition has always gone much further than simply bringing vehicles here.
‘Our approach is “In somewhere, For somewhere, Be somewhere”: building a lasting presence, investing in local capability and developing products around the people who drive them. With Omoda&Jaecoo established, Chery growing and Lepas to follow, that local capability is increasingly important.’
Chery will be able to utilise the 43 miles of test track at the Bedfordshire site, which also include special areas developed to test durability alongside Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) surfaces.
Just last month, Chery became the first Chinese automaker to exceed 200,000 exports in a single month.