China’s EV giants are breathing new life into Europe’s ailing car industry
From Chery in Britain to SAIC in Spain, Chinese carmakers are investing in new plants and revitalising old ones as they localise production
From Sunderland to Spain, Chinese manufacturers are revitalising idle factories and investing where traditional European carmakers are pulling back.
The latest and perhaps most significant development in Britain is the preliminary agreement between Chery and Nissan to explore production of Chery vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland facility. Under the memorandum of understanding, Chery passenger vehicles could begin rolling off production lines in Sunderland in the first half of next year, using spare capacity at Britain’s largest automotive plant, which employs about 6,000 workers and has been operating well below its potential.
The agreement reflects a broader trend in which established European and Japanese manufacturers seek new ways to maximise underused factories while Chinese companies seek local manufacturing footprints to support expansion in Europe.