Popular Chinese car brands could look to launch a factory in the UK in the near future as they look to develop a foothold in the national market.
Speaking at the International Automotive Summit in London today, Victor Zhang, UK Country Director for Omoda&Jaecoo, hinted that such a move could be seen in the future.
The event, hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), looked at the development of technology in vehicles and how it has evolved in recent years, and will continue to do so.
Speaking at the event, Zhang noted that drivers increasingly want high-tech specifications in vehicles, with a focus on people looking for a premium experience.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
A boss of a Chinese car company hinted that other manufacturers could invest in UK production sites
REUTERS/GETTY
He noted that many Chinese brands have only properly started to launch international efforts in recent years, alongside local development.
The expansion of these brands has been evident, with Omoda&Jaecoo and BYD making major headways and taking on some of the largest established brands.
Zhang suggested that Chinese brands could look at the UK as a potential hotspot for the development of new factories and manufacturing bases in Europe.
He said: "It's something they should do. We are talking with the relevant people. It's just a matter of time."
Omoda&Jaecoo plan to release three new vehicles on the market by the end of the year
OMODA&JAECOOResponding to a question on whether more brands could see the UK as a future base, he added: "I expect it to happen."
BYD, the largest Chinese manufacturer, previously dismissed the idea of opening a factory in Britain following the exit from the European Union.
Speaking in 2023, Michael Shu, European President of BYD, said the brand wanted to prioritise development in a "stable country".
He noted: "To open a factory is a decision for decades. Without Brexit, maybe. But after Brexit, we don't understand what happened."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
BYD has since announced plans to build a £1billion factory in Turkey and recently unveiled that it would be establishing its European headquarters in Budapest, Hungary.
The headquarters would be established alongside a research and development centre, which could create thousands of high-value jobs in the coming years.
The Xi'an-based company already operates a bus factory in Komárom and has additional facilities in Fót and Páty.
Despite this, BYD could now look at the UK as a potential production facility, given the dramatic uptake of its electric vehicles across the country.
BYD announced it would be opening its European HQ in Budapest, Hungary BYDZhang also quelled any fears about privacy, which some experts have lobbed against Chinese manufacturers, who are operating in the UK at an increasing rate.
He said Omoda&Jaecoo was a responsible manufacturer and always follows privacy rules, including GDPR.
"All Chinese brands realise the importance of data privacy. We aren't using it for other purposes," he stated.
Karoline Baumann, Strategy and New Growth Director at Cox Automotive, who was also a panellist, said data and privacy were "really valid concerns" for motorists, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Most Read
