Chery expands European R&D footprint

CHERY has announced the expansion of its research and development centre in Raunheim, Germany as the Chinese company seeks to support its European group market launch.

The manufacturer says the strategic decision underscores its commitment to a market presence in the EU and says the facility will help hone upcoming innovations in the field of individual mobility.

According to Chery, the development team in Raunheim is working at playing an even stronger role in design and engineering not only in Europe, but as part of a global network of the Chery Group.

The Raunheim R&D Centre opened in 2018 and according to Chery has since developed into one of its most important sites within global development and design network. The expansion of the facility is said to allow the brand to place greater emphasis on “the European activities” of China’s largest passenger car exporter.

“We are planning to double the number of employees (at Raunheim) over the next 12 months,” said Chery Europe managing director Jochen Tueting.

“We are firmly convinced that the research and development in Germany and Europe will pay off because Chery will be able to develop solutions that are both innovative and tailored to the needs of European customers in terms of technology, sustainability, and price.”

Located close to Frankfurt Airport, the facility handles development activities for all new products as well as those specifically for the European market. This includes design development, simulation and testing, as well as hardware and mechanical product design.

“New things are also created here that won’t find their way to Europe,” hinted Mr Tueting.

“The expansion of the R&D Centre near the River Main is therefore an important milestone for Chery as a volume manufacturer and underlines the car company’s determination to develop state-of-the-art vehicles for the European market and beyond.”

The news arrives as Chery announced several new models for the Australian market.

Over the coming months, the Chinese importer will launch both a more powerful ‘GT’ variant and all-electric ‘E5’ version of its popular Omoda 5 small segement SUV, as well as a new entrant in the family-sized Tiggo 8 Pro Max seven-seat SUV.