Yin Tongye, Chery Automobile’s chairman has disclosed that the Chinese state-owned automaker will sign a deal with a premium European brand over platform cooperation, Reuters reports.

The comments were made during a livestreaming event promoting its new flagship SUV Exlantix ET, under the Exceed brand.

Mr Tongye said: "Two premium European marques want to use our platform and a deal will be signed with one of them, a more premium brand than us, during [my Europe trip beginning Tuesday].”

He also revealed that the automaker is in talks with two other brands over potential partnerships.

It comes as Chery Auto is nearing a deal to opening its first European manufacturing site in Spain, according to the Spanish government and lead negotiator, Barcelona-based EV Motors.

Talks were focused on Chery producing vehicles at Nissan’s former factory, which was shut down in 2021, news agencies report.

Earlier this year it was reported that Chinese automaker was in talks with the Italian government over plans for a European plant.

If it is successful in Spain, it will be among the first Chinese automakers to have a European manufacturing base.