Chery Automobile Eyes European Design Center

Chinese carmaker Chery Automobile Co. is preparing to open its first design studio in Europe.

The company will present its first European-bound model, the compact M31T crossover vehicle, in concept form this week at the Frankfurt auto show. The car also could eventually be marketed in the U.S. Chery plans to eventually offer a full line of passenger vehicles overseas, including those with hybrid and all-electric powertrains.

James Hope, who set up Chery’s design studio in Shanghai, is heading the team to do the same in Europe. The former General Motors and Ford executive tells Automotive News Europe that Berlin is a likely location for the new facility.