City leader Liam Robinson flies out to China to seal deal that could bring jobs to Liverpool
Liverpool has a number of major vehicle manufacturing plants in the Speke area
Liverpool has been chosen as the first-ever European headquarters for a major Chinese vehicle manufacturer. Chery Commercial Vehicle (CCV) will open a major new site in the city, that leaders say will create large numbers of high-value jobs for local people.
Leaders say the move will position Liverpool and the wider city region at the forefront of Europe’s fast growing electric vehicle sector. The new headquarters will act as the central hub for CCV’s European operations, supporting research, engineering, innovation and commercial development from within Liverpool.
Chery Commercial Vehicle’s arrival is expected to create high‑value jobs across engineering, software development, R&D, and operational roles, contributing significantly to the region’s skilled workforce. It is hoped that the move will also stimulate deeper collaboration with Liverpool’s research partners and innovation centres, helping to connect global expertise with local research strengths.
While specific details of where the new plant will be have not yet been released, a number of major vehicle manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover and Ford are already based around the Speke and Halewood areas.
CCV’s intention to expand for full localisation – covering products, research, engineering, talent and commercial partnerships – means the company intends to integrate deeply into the UK automotive ecosystem, including here in Liverpool. The headquarters will also act as a landing point for joint ventures and new energy technology demonstrations across the region.
CCV is one of China’s most internationally recognised automotive exporters and is leading innovation in next generation commercial vehicles, including electric, hydrogen and autonomous platforms.
Through its Future Super Commercial Plan (FSC-P) , the company says it is committed to leading the next major transformation in the commercial vehicle industry. Liverpool leaders believe Its choice of a new European HQ signals Liverpool’s growing prominence as a European centre for green mobility, data driven engineering and sustainable industry.
Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will work closely with Chery Commercial Vehicle, regional partners and national government to ensure the project delivers lasting social and economic benefits for residents and businesses across the city and wider region.
Liverpool City Council leader Cllr Liam Robinson has flown to China today, where the announcement of the major deal is being made. His visit coincides with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s trip to the country, where he has met with President Xi Jinping.
Speaking ahead of his trip, Cllr Robinson told the ECHO: “This is really positive news for the city, because Chery Commercial Vehicles, which is a Chinese manufacturer of commercial vehicles has decided to choose Liverpool as its first European headquarters.
“From our perspective, to be recognised as the place they want to bring their whole European headquarters to is fantastic. Effectively this will be the headquarters of all Chery Commercial Vehicle’s European operations so it will include things like engineering, innovation, commercial development for the whole of Europe, based here in Liverpool.
“We are really pleased that we have been able to achieve this. There has been a lot of very detailed work from our team, working with Chery, to pitch the city and demonstrate the strengths we have got. This includes the fact we are already at the heart of a really strong automotive cluster.
“We already have a skilled workforce, particular with our strengths in graduate retention now, there is that talent pipeline locally. And longer term there is the strategic location of the Port of Liverpool, Liverpool Airport and Manchester Airport not far away for direct flights back to Europe.”
“We have always recognised our strong heritage with China, we have one of the oldest Chinese communities anywhere in the world. So this shows a really strong future with China, when the government is resetting relationships with China.
“We want to make sure that Liverpool is at the forefront of that and that we can get the economic benefits that can come from that as part of these partnerships.”
Gong Yueqiong, General Manager of Chery Commercial Vehicle, said: “We are not just bringing products to the UK—we are building a British business.
“Our ‘In UK, For UK, Be UK’ strategy reflects our belief that true globalization comes from deep localization. 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.
“Our strategy reflects our confidence in the UK’s talent, infrastructure, and commitment to green technology.
“Liverpool offers the perfect environment for Chery Commercial Vehicle’s European ambitions. Our goal is to become a responsible corporate citizen, fully integrated into the local community.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Chery Commercial Vehicle’s landmark decision to base its European HQ in our city region is a fantastic vote of confidence in our advanced manufacturing and green innovation sectors.
“This move will create high quality jobs and long-term economic benefits, helping to further strengthen our region’s reputation at the forefront of cleaner, smarter transport.
“The Combined Authority has worked very closely with Liverpool City Council and Chery Commercial Vehicle to help make this investment possible, and we’ll continue to support Chery Commercial Vehicle’s plans for further growth, so it delivers lasting benefits for communities and businesses across our region.”