Chinese state-part-owned Chery to open UK R&D centre at site shared with Ministry of Defence

Chery, part-owned by the Chinese state, will open an R&D centre at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire by late autumn 2026, sharing the site with the Ministry of Defence. Initial work covers chassis tuning and driver-assist tech; Chery plans to expand into autonomous driving and AI. The company has not disclosed investment or job figures. Its UK brands held nearly 8% market share in July 2026.