Chinese car maker Changan searching for a West Midlands base

CHINESE car manufacturer Changan is actively seeking a West Midlands base for its UK research and development operation, TheBusinessDesk.com understands.

Changan Automobile is in the top 15 of vehicle manufactures in the world and in the top four in China. It produces two million vehicles per annum under its own brand, which presents a sales income of more than £10bn. The firm also has joint ventures with Ford, Mazda, Suzuki and PSA.

Changan UK set up its R&D Centre (CAUK) in Nottingham Science Park in 2010 but wants to be closer to automotive firms in the West Midlands with which it has close relationships.

Property sector sources told TheBusinessDesk.com that Changan has a requirement of between 50,000 sq ft and 100,000 sq ft for a mix of office and warehouse space. It is understood to be looking in the Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry areas with the, as yet undeveloped, Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Birmingham’s Aston area one possibility.

Nottingham-based Decorum Estates is believed to be acting as a consultant to Changan in the search process. Decorum is run by former Cedar House Investments managing director Chris Carlisle, one of the best-known figures on the East Midlands property scene.

Carlisle hadn’t responded to a request by TheBusinessDesk.com for further information about Changan’s plans at the time of writing.

CAUK is dedicated to powertrain design and development for Changan’s next generation vehicles.

It is not known whether a new base in the West Midlands would mean the closure of its Nottingham operation.

On its website the firm says: “CAUK is currently based in Nottingham and, have (sic) an ambitious expansion plan of having other sites in the UK”.