Chery may set up assembly plant in Nigeria

Shanghai, October 30 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese carmaker Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. has submitted its proposal to Nigeria's Cross River State government of setting up an auto plant in the region for assembling up to 10,000 cars annually, International Business Times reported yesterday.

Cross River State, strategically located in Nigeria, was selected as an ideal location to be the main hub for Chery in West Africa. The state has a free trade zone and has essential complementary resources such as skilled labor and management manpower, excellent infrastructures.

This investment project by Chery Auto will bring numerous direct benefits to the Cross River State constituency in creating skilled and semi-skilled jobs. The company is planning to set up an auto training centers to improve the availability of skilled workers in the auto sector.

The development of the auto industry in Cross River State will be a catalyst for more value added investments within the automobile value chain, and Chery is certain that through this investment it will contribute to the region's long-term social and economic growth.

Government of Cross River State is in talks with Chery Auto to set up the Chinese carmaker's first assembly plant in Nigeria. In this early stage of the discussion, parties involved in the investment have shown their full commitment to the furtherance of the project.

Chery rolled to the Nigerian market in 2006 with its new models such as the Tiggo SUV, QQ compact car, Fulwin and Eastar sedans, distributed by local Chery Motors Nigeria Ltd. This year Chery's exports focus on small markets such as Nigeria and Uruguay.