Chinese automotive giant Chery to open R&D centre in Cornellà de Llobregat

Chinese multinational carmaker Chery will open an R&D centre in Cornellà de Llobregat (Barcelona) this autumn. The announcement was made following a meeting between the Catalan Government and the company’s leadership at its headquarters in Wuhu, China. The new 2,000-square-metre facilities will support the group on a global scale and focus on designing and adapting vehicles to meet the needs of European users.

In the letter of intent signed by both parties, the Catalan Government pledged to support the company’s initiatives in development, expansion and technological innovation in electric and hybrid vehicles. It also committed to strengthening links with universities and research institutions and to providing public support instruments. Chery, in turn, pledged to develop its activities in Catalonia over the long term, continuing to invest and exploring new opportunities in sustainable mobility.

In 2024, Chery reached an agreement with EV Motors to manufacture cars in Catalonia at Nissan’s former facilities in Barcelona’s Zona Franca. The Chinese multinational is one of the country’s leading carmakers, producing more than 2.6 million units in 2024.

According to data from ACCIÓ, the Agency for Business Competitiveness, Chinese investment in Catalonia reached nearly €1.3 billion over the past five years. Projects resulting from this investment have created more than 2,300 new jobs.