New jobs on the horizon as Durham dealership expands.
An award-winning car dealership is taking on four new staff and investing at least £500,000 in a new showroom for an exciting marque that is new to the UK car market – the Chery.
A new bespoke showroom is under construction for Chery at Croxdale Group Durham – but the cars are already on offer at the site.
The new franchise, trading as Chery Durham, will strengthen Croxdale’s position as one of the North East’s fastest-growing automotive groups, bringing one of the most talked-about global challenger brands to the region.
Anthony Rockingham, managing director of Croxdale Group, described Chery as the “newest and most promising of all the Chinese car brands arriving in the UK”.
He said: “In China it is known for being of high quality and affordable to all, including all the latest technology within vehicle designs that stand out.
“It has already tackled the SUV market with a storm, especially with the TIGGO 8, which gives you seven seats for the price of five.
“Alongside our MG, Citroën, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, DS Automobiles and Leapmotor offerings, we provide an exciting prospect for new car buyers – where else can you go to find seven brands on one site with dedicated showrooms?”
The addition of Chery at Croxdale follows a successful 2025 for the dealership, which also boasts a large, state-of-the-art servicing and repair centre for manufacturer-approved repair and maintenance.
Last year, Croxdale’s DS Durham franchise won three DS Prestige Awards, including Retailer of the year.
The Leapmotor T03, which Croxdale introduced in December 2024, was also named Best Value Car 2026.
Chery, whose sister brands include Omoda and Jaecoo, was founded in 1997, and for more than two decades has held the title of China’s top passenger-car exporter, selling millions of vehicles across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and, increasingly, Europe.
Chery’s global strategy emphasises innovation, safety and value for money, with a particular focus on advanced hybrid technology and robust warranty coverage.
With Chery located alongside Leapmotor, Croxdale now offers two increasingly popular, value for money Chinese brands side by side.
Chery models available at Croxdale, include the TIGGO 7, TIGGO 8 and TIGGO 9, with the TIGGO 7 being a compact SUV and the TIGGO 9 being a full-sized Super Hybrid SUV.
Both the TIGGO 7 and TIGGO 8 are plug-in hybrids and petrol models are also available.
Anthony described Chery as an “excellent fit” for today’s value-conscious customer, who doesn’t want to compromise on specification, technology or style.
“The range will particularly appeal to families and SUV buyers looking for a practical, well-equipped vehicle, as well as those making the transition to hybrid driving,” he said.
“With models like the Chery TIGGO 7 and Chery TIGGO 9 offering impressive space, comfort and efficiency, we’re confident the brand will resonate strongly with motorists seeking maximum value without sacrificing quality.
“With this latest offering, we’re proud of how far Croxdale’s family-owned dealership has come.
“Having started life in1967 with just Citroën, we are now one of the top independent dealerships in the North East – and we are continuing to grow!”
Croxdale also offers a wide range of approved used vehicles and van and commercial vehicle or fleet purchases and rentals.
The latest addition to the dealership will hopefully prove to be the Chery on the top!
For more information, visit https://www.croxdalegroup.com/news/chery-news-and-events/