CHINA’S GEELY AND CHERY OPEN ENGINEERING HUBS IN GERMANY
The latest news suggests that China’s two best-known car groups – Geely and Chery – have established their European base in the small German town of Raunheim near the Russian headquarters of Opel Automobile.
“We chose Raunheim to gain a foothold in Germany, an excellent car market with a wide range of outstanding engineers,” commented Frank Klaas, European Chief Spokesman for the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and himself an Opel veteran.
According to sources, more than 20 Chery Automobile engineers have been hired since the European headquarters opened in 2019. This includes Geely’s chief chief engineer for electrical drive systems and its director for infotainment and connectivity, as well as Chery’s senior manager for vehicle architecture in interior design and exterior design.
“It is important that you get your boots on the floor and get close to your competitors in your target market,” said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center for Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch Gladbach.
