Nissan held talks with China’s Chery on building cars in Sunderland

Nissan has held talks with China’s Chery about building cars at the Japanese automaker’s Sunderland plant in Britain, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Japan’s fourth-biggest automaker recently discussed a partnership with Chery to increase the utilisation rate of its Sunderland factory, which is currently operating at about 50% capacity, the report said, citing four people with knowledge of the talks.

Nissan has also held discussions with numerous other companies about using the plant, the newspaper said, adding that talks with the Chinese state-owned carmaker may not materialise in a deal. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Nissan and Chery did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this year, Nissan sold its manufacturing assets in Rosslyn, South Africa, to the local arm of Chery.