Changan Auto to set up UK R&D centre at Nottingham
UP to 200 jobs are to be created in Nottingham by one of China's largest car makers.
Changan Automobile Co is to establish its UK research and development centre at Nottingham Science Park, near the University of Nottingham.
The first 30 jobs will be created this year, rising to 200 by 2013.
The successful inward investment follows a high level meeting in China between Dr Bryan Jackson, former head of Toyota UK at Burnaston who is now chairman of East Midlands Development Agency, and officials of Changan Automobile Co in 2007.
Changan is one of China's largest car makers and its sales have been increasing by around 30% a year.
It has a production capacity of 2.5 million vehicles a year. Production and sales between January and April in 2010 ranked it second in China.
The base in Nottingham will enable Changan to collaborate with UK automotive R&D companies and will also help UK companies win business with Changan.
Emda, which looks set to be abolished by the new Government, and the East Midlands China Business Bureau, have been working since March 2009 on bringing the jobs to the region.
Together, they identified national and regional strengths in automotive R&D, particularly in powertrain, transmissions, chassis and new energy technologies.
Emda successfully demonstrated the region's benefits with a central location and the availability of skills and expertise in businesses and universities.
Changan has nine production bases and 21 whole vehicle factories in China and has a turnover of about £6 billion.
The business has ambitions to break into the world's top 10 motor manufacturers.
An R&D centre in Nottingham represents a vital part of the plan.
Changan chairman Mr Xu Liuping said: "Setting up our own R&D centres overseas, including the UK, is a vital stepping stone for us to utilise global resources and to enter the league of the world-leading car makers."
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