Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) and Chery International UK (9973.HK) said today they have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the study of contract manufacturing for Nissan to manufacture Chery International UK passenger vehicles at its Sunderland Plant. [The struggling Japanese automaker posted a ¥533 billion yen (~$3.4 billion) loss for the Japanese fiscal year 2025, ending 31 March 2026. This was less than the ¥670.9 billion loss in the prior 2024 Japanese fiscal year.* Quarterly sales dropped ~2% to ¥3.43 trillion (~$22 billion) – AutoCrat].
“This is an important step forward for our operations. We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalize a position that is optimal for both companies,” said Massimiliano Messina, Chair of Nissan AMIEO. [Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania markets. – AutoCrat]**
Under the terms of the non-binding MoU the Sunderland facility would remain fully owned by Nissan, with the team at the plant employed by Nissan. The MoU also includes the possibility that Nissan would aim to begin manufacturing Chery International UK passenger vehicles on the plant’s production Line One in financial year 2027. In May Nissan announced that it would consolidate its manufacturing operations onto production Line Two to investigate opportunities increase plant utilization. Chery is an Independent Chinese automaker.**
The MoU is non-binding, and discussions are ongoing between the two companies, with no further details to be made public at this stage.
*AutoInformed on
**Chery Automobile Company
“Since it was founded, Chery has always taken adhering to technology-driven strategy, creating a vehicle brand with international competitiveness and influence as its corporate vision,” said Yin Tongyue Chair of Chery Automobile Company. “Relying on the constant pursuit of technological innovation, Chery has become the first passenger vehicle enterprise in China to master the core technology of engine, gearbox, chassis, platform and new energy, and also the first one in China to export vehicle, CKD parts, engine and vehicle manufacturing technology and equipment to overseas market.
“Chery has always focused on developing domestic and international markets. Chery has continuously deepened its globalization through the implementation of product strategy, localization strategy and talent strategy. After more than 20 years of development, Chery’s sales and services network covers more than 130 countries and regions and has won the trust of 18.89 million consumers worldwide.
“The global vehicle market is ushering in a new era of Electrification, Connection, Intelligence and Sharing. which will lead to major changes once in a century. In 2018, Chery officially released the intelligent brand CHERY LION, marking an overall transformation to intellectualization and it committed to providing an intelligent and interconnected lifestyle of new era for global consumers.
“Meanwhile, Chery has carried out a variety of social contribution activities concerning green development, environmental protection, social welfare, talent cultivation and other fields in the global market. We hope that our efforts will contribute to the society and make a good impact,” said Yin Tongyue.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Nissan to Build Chinese Chery Vehicles in UK?
Nissan (7201T and NSANY ADR) and Chery International UK (9973.HK) said today they have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the study of contract manufacturing for Nissan to manufacture Chery International UK passenger vehicles at its Sunderland Plant. [The struggling Japanese automaker posted a ¥533 billion yen (~$3.4 billion) loss for the Japanese fiscal year 2025, ending 31 March 2026. This was less than the ¥670.9 billion loss in the prior 2024 Japanese fiscal year.* Quarterly sales dropped ~2% to ¥3.43 trillion (~$22 billion) – AutoCrat].
“This is an important step forward for our operations. We are looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalize a position that is optimal for both companies,” said Massimiliano Messina, Chair of Nissan AMIEO. [Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania markets. – AutoCrat]**
Under the terms of the non-binding MoU the Sunderland facility would remain fully owned by Nissan, with the team at the plant employed by Nissan. The MoU also includes the possibility that Nissan would aim to begin manufacturing Chery International UK passenger vehicles on the plant’s production Line One in financial year 2027. In May Nissan announced that it would consolidate its manufacturing operations onto production Line Two to investigate opportunities increase plant utilization. Chery is an Independent Chinese automaker.**
The MoU is non-binding, and discussions are ongoing between the two companies, with no further details to be made public at this stage.
*AutoInformed on
**Chery Automobile Company
“Since it was founded, Chery has always taken adhering to technology-driven strategy, creating a vehicle brand with international competitiveness and influence as its corporate vision,” said Yin Tongyue Chair of Chery Automobile Company. “Relying on the constant pursuit of technological innovation, Chery has become the first passenger vehicle enterprise in China to master the core technology of engine, gearbox, chassis, platform and new energy, and also the first one in China to export vehicle, CKD parts, engine and vehicle manufacturing technology and equipment to overseas market.
“Chery has always focused on developing domestic and international markets. Chery has continuously deepened its globalization through the implementation of product strategy, localization strategy and talent strategy. After more than 20 years of development, Chery’s sales and services network covers more than 130 countries and regions and has won the trust of 18.89 million consumers worldwide.
“The global vehicle market is ushering in a new era of Electrification, Connection, Intelligence and Sharing. which will lead to major changes once in a century. In 2018, Chery officially released the intelligent brand CHERY LION, marking an overall transformation to intellectualization and it committed to providing an intelligent and interconnected lifestyle of new era for global consumers.
“Meanwhile, Chery has carried out a variety of social contribution activities concerning green development, environmental protection, social welfare, talent cultivation and other fields in the global market. We hope that our efforts will contribute to the society and make a good impact,” said Yin Tongyue.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.