Nissan and Chinese automaker Chery have confirmed talks about producing Chery vehicles at Nissan's Sunderland plant in the UK.
The two companies signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to study contract manufacturing at the facility.
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Under the proposed deal, Nissan would become a contract manufacturer, building Chery models while retaining ownership of the plant.
Production would be handled by Nissan employees.
Excess Capacity Meets Booming Sales
Nissan's Sunderland plant is currently underutilized. The company recently consolidated production on Line Two, freeing up Line One for potential Chery output.
Meanwhile, Chery's sales in the UK are growing rapidly.
If discussions are successful, Chery production could begin as early as the 2027 financial year.
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The specific models to be built have not been announced, but Nissan indicated it would be a passenger vehicle designed for the UK market.
Nissan's Massimiliano Messina said, “We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalize a position that is optimal for both companies.”
He added, “This is an important step forward for our operations.”
Chery sells multiple brands in the UK, including Chery, Jaecoo, and Omoda.
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In April, these three brands combined for 10,052 sales, far exceeding Nissan's 4,079 vehicles sold in the same period.
