Pictured above: (l-r) John Long, development director at Blueprint, and Brent Liu, Vice General Manager at Changan

One of China's biggest car companies is doubling the size of its research and development operation at the ultra green No.1 Nottingham Science Park with plans to create up to 175 new jobs over the next few years.

Changan, which first moved into the sustainable building in July, has taken an extra 5,000 sq ft of office space in a suite that overlooks University Boulevard.

This is the carmaker's first UK Research and Development Centre, and it plans to invest £20 million in the operation over the next five years.

Initially employing around 25 people, the company plans to increase this to as many as 200 by 2013. Some of the new recruits are expected to be engineering graduates from Nottingham's universities, with whom the company is working closely.

Changan uses its suite at No. 1 Nottingham Science Park to research and develop automotive engine and transmission systems for the new generation of Changan's products, including hybrid and electric cars.

The building was created by specialist regeneration developer Blueprint, and development director John Long said: "Nottingham Science park has attracted some of the most innovative and successful firms since we embarked on its extension a few years ago, and it's a real pleasure to see them excel here and expand.  

"It's good for the Park, of course, but more importantly it's good for Nottingham - these businesses are creating sustainable, high quality jobs in large numbers. Now we need to make sure we can accommodate firms like this in the future too in order to remain competitive with other cities in the UK and beyond. That's something we're starting to explore at the Science Park."

Brent Liu, Vice General Manager at Changan UK R&D Centre, said: "Part of the reason we came to No.1 Nottingham Science Park was because the building has this green and environment friendly idea behind it, and that fits well with Changan's view of our future development direction and automotive industry trend."