The ‘Made in Britain’ label that could change how we see Chinese cars
January 30, 2026 by Siobhan Doyle
Car changing is a big deal
Chery has opened a new Liverpool hub, signalling a push to build Chinese cars in the UK. But would British-built Chinese cars win over UK buyers?
Would you consider buying a Chinese car if it carried a “Made in Britain” badge? Chery – the company behind Jaecoo and Omoda – is betting that many UK drivers will.
The brand has opened a new hub in Liverpool to manage its UK operations, conduct research, and develop its business locally. For car buyers, this could mean faster delivery times and more reliable services.
Chery is also in talks to produce cars at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) nearby Halewood factory. If it goes ahead, Chinese-badged vehicles could be built in the UK, cutting shipping delays and giving buyers extra confidence in a brand still relatively new to the market.
“We are not just bringing products to the UK – we are building a British business,” Gong Yueqiong, general manager of Chery Commercial Vehicle, told The Telegraph. “By recruiting local talent, collaborating with UK institutions, and adapting to local needs, we aim to become a valued contributor to the UK’s automotive industry and economy.”
Business Secretary Peter Kyle called the move “a major vote of confidence in the UK, showcasing the kind of high-value, future-focused manufacturing we want to grow.”
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The Liverpool hub announcement comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing to strengthen UK-China trade relations, with Chery and the broader automotive sector expected to be on the agenda.
Chery already has experience working with JLR. The two brands have a joint venture in China, and have been producing models such as the Evoque, Discovery Sport, and Jaguar saloons for the Chinese market since 2012. Now, Chery is hoping to mirror that collaboration in reverse – bringing production to the UK.
Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “Chery’s choice of Liverpool for its European base is a major vote of confidence in our city’s capabilities, our workforce, and our long-term vision for clean, inclusive growth.
“This partnership could reshape the car manufacturing sector in our region, bringing new technologies, new skills, and new opportunities to Liverpool and beyond.”
Chery only launched in the UK in August 2025 but has already sold more than 5,500 cars – outselling brands such as Alfa Romeo, DS, Genesis, and Smart. With the arrival of the Tiggo 9 seven-seat SUV, sales are expected to climb even higher.
For buyers, locally built vehicles often mean fewer shipping delays and more reliable service. For JLR, producing cars for Chery could help soften the disruption caused by last year’s cyber attack and help support UK jobs.
While Chery is furthest along in talks with JLR, this move reflects a broader trend. The UK managing editor of Chinese carmaker Geely Auto, Mike Yang, recently told Carwow that producing its cars in the UK is a “real possibility”.
Autocar has also reported that Nissan has expressed interest in building Chinese cars in the UK, although no other deals outside of JLR-Chery have been confirmed.
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