Chinese automaker Chery announced that its three UK‑market brands – Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo – together accounted for almost 8% of the UK car market in July 2026, up from 3% in 2025. The figures come from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and were reported by The Guardian on 19 August 2026.
Market‑share surge
The jump from 3% to nearly 8% represents a gain of roughly five percentage points in a single year. The Guardian’s coverage notes that the increase reflects “breakneck” sales growth for Chery’s portfolio, which includes the Omoda and Jaecoo sub‑brands. No other source in the packet provides a different market‑share series, so the comparison is limited to the two points supplied.
While the packet does not break down the contribution of each brand, the combined figure demonstrates that Chinese‑origin vehicles are moving from a niche segment toward a more mainstream share of new‑car registrations. The rise is measured against the total UK market, which the SMMT defines as all new‑car registrations in a given month.
Jaecoo 7 becomes the UK’s top‑selling model in March 2026
In March 2026, the Jaecoo 7 – marketed by Chery under the Jaecoo brand – was the best‑selling car model in the United Kingdom, according to the same Guardian article. The report describes the Jaecoo 7 as the “Temu Range Rover”, a nickname that reflects its low price and high‑tech equipment package.
The Guardian’s source indicates that the model topped the monthly new‑car registration list, but it also notes that the vehicle is currently imported rather than produced locally. The fact that a Chinese‑built model led UK sales in a single month underscores the speed at which Chery’s product range is resonating with British consumers.
Bedfordshire R&D centre and Sunderland manufacturing plan
On 19 August 2026, Chery announced two major UK investments. First, the company will open a research and development centre at the UTAC Millbrook test site in Bedfordshire. The facility is scheduled to open in late autumn 2026 and will serve as the “next step in our long‑term plan for Britain”, according to the company’s statement quoted by the Guardian.
Second, Chery disclosed a partnership with Nissan to build its cars at the Japanese automaker’s Sunderland plant. Production under the deal is slated to start in 2027, marking the first time mass‑market Chinese‑origin vehicles will be manufactured in the UK. The Guardian article describes Chery as “part‑owned by the Chinese state” and highlights the strategic significance of the Sunderland arrangement for both firms.
The R&D centre and the Sunderland manufacturing plan are presented together as a coordinated expansion: research and testing in Bedfordshire will feed into production at Sunderland, creating a domestic value chain for Chery’s models.
Implications for the UK automotive sector
The announced investments have several immediate implications for the British automotive ecosystem. The Bedfordshire R&D hub will bring engineering and testing activities to the region, potentially creating specialist jobs and increasing demand for local suppliers of test equipment, software and facilities management. The Guardian does not provide a head‑count estimate, and the packet flags the chief‑executive name as unverified, so the exact scale of the workforce is unknown.
Start‑up of production at Sunderland in 2027 will add a new source of volume to an already busy plant that currently assembles Nissan models. The partnership could lead to shared supply‑chain contracts, but the packet does not detail which components will be sourced domestically versus imported. Analysts familiar with the UK market would therefore watch for any procurement announcements from Nissan or Chery in the months leading up to 2027.
From a competitive standpoint, the rise to 8% market share places Chery alongside established European and Japanese manufacturers. While the packet does not provide a ranking of all brands, the fact that the Jaecoo 7 topped March sales suggests that Chery can compete on price and technology. The Guardian’s coverage does not claim the performance is unprecedented, so the article avoids that language.
Consumers may benefit from increased model choice and potentially lower prices as competition intensifies. However, the packet does not include pricing data, so any impact on retail prices remains speculative.
What remains unknown
- The exact number of jobs the Bedfordshire R&D centre will create, as the company has not disclosed staffing plans.
- The detailed split of components that will be sourced locally for the Sunderland production line.
- The identity of Chery’s UK chief executive – the packet notes the name is unverified.
- Whether the market‑share gain will be sustained beyond July 2026, as the SMMT data for later months is not yet available.
These gaps highlight areas for future reporting as the 2027 production start approaches and as quarterly SMMT figures are released.
Key figures from the Guardian report
| Label | Value | Unit | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK market share (Chery/Omoda/Jaecoo) | 8 | % | July 2026 |
| UK market share (previous year) | 3 | % | 2025 |
| Top‑selling model month | Jaecoo 7 | March 2026 | |
| Planned UK manufacturing start | 2027 | from 2027 | |
| Source: The Guardian (guardian‑business), 19 Aug 2026 | |||
Chery’s rapid market‑share growth, the Jaecoo 7’s sales performance, and the dual announcement of a Bedfordshire R&D centre and a Sunderland manufacturing partnership together signal a decisive push by the Chinese‑state‑linked automaker to embed itself in the UK automotive landscape. The next steps – securing supply contracts, hiring staff, and delivering the first locally built vehicles in 2027 – will determine whether the momentum captured in July 2026 can be translated into a lasting presence on British roads.