Chinese car giant Chery to open base in UK

Chinese car giant Chery is to open a European headquarters in the UK.

The new centre in Liverpool will support research, engineering and commercial development for Chery Commercial Vehicle (CCV).

The announcement came during a trade visit to China by Prime Minister Keir Starmer where he had travelled with representatives of Jaguar Land Rover, and other businesses from the north-west of England.

Liverpool City Council said it was "one of the most significant projects" for the city's advanced manufacturing base in recent years, with leader Liam Robinson saying it was a "huge opportunity" for Liverpool, the wider city region and the UK.

Chery, which was set up in 1997, is the parent company of global brands such as Omoda and Jaecoo as well as manufacturing cars under its own name.

Robinson said the move, which comes after months of talks, "recognises our strengths" and "puts Liverpool at the forefront" of advanced manufacturing.

There are no details yet on where exactly in the city Chery cars will locate its new European headquarters or when, but it is hoped it will create hundreds of new jobs.

Liverpool's links with China go back nearly 200 years.

Shanghai is one of its sister cities.

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