Big inward investment win for Solihull as Chinese car maker pulls in
CHINESE car maker Changan is to relocate its UK operations to Birmingham Business Park in Solihull.
As revealed in TheBusinessDesk.com last April, the firm has been searching for a base in the West Midlands so it could be closer to automotive firms in the area with which it has close relationships.
A number of options were looked at but it has chosen to take 24,000 sq ft of space in three offices at Birmingham Business Park, close to Jaguar Land Rover’s plant at Lode Lane.
The site will house the UK head office of Changan’s powertrain and research and development divisions and the move will see more than 100 people relocating from its current bases at Nottingham Science Park and Warwickshire.
It is thought hundreds of new jobs could also be created following the move. Positions at Birmingham Business Park – often requiring candidates who are Mandarin speakers – are already appearing on job boards.
Changan Automobile is in the top 15 of vehicle manufactures in the world and in the top four in China. It produces more than 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.
Dr Xiaoyu Zhang, general manager of Changan UK, said: “We are committed to turning Changan into the world’s leading automotive company, and establishing advanced technology R&D facilities across the globe is fundamental to our plans for growth.
“Our new site at Birmingham Business Park in the UK will become a world-class powertrain research centre. This new location will strengthen our commitment to the UK market by promoting the growth and sustainability of Changan UK, developing links with local universities and creating new jobs for the region.”
Changan UK set up its R&D Centre (CAUK) in Nottingham Science Park in 2010.
Property sector sources told TheBusinessDesk.com last year that Changan had a requirement of between 50,000 sq ft and 100,000 sq ft for a mix of office and warehouse space and was looking in the Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry areas.
Commenting on the fact Solihull was chosen, Cllr Bob Sleigh, leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “The internationally renowned skills of the wider region’s advanced manufacturing industry, which employs over 180,000 people, was a key factor behind Changan UK’s decision to locate here.
“Its move to Solihull demonstrates that we have the reputation – and ability – to attract some of the most exciting companies in the world.”
The properties were let by Birmingham-based KWB, which acted on behalf of Birmingham Parkside.
