Chery Confirms Vehicle Production in Spain Will Begin Later This Year After Setbacks
Chinese automaker Chery has confirmed that it will begin producing vehicles in Spain later this year, following a series of delays that have pushed back what will be the company’s first manufacturing operation in Europe. Senior executives said the project remains firmly on track despite shifting timelines and regulatory challenges.
Speaking on Friday, Chery’s executive vice president and head of its European Union operations, Zhu Shaodong, said production at the Barcelona facility would start “as soon as possible” in two thousand twenty six. While he declined to specify an exact quarter, he stressed that preparations were accelerating and that the company remained confident about launching operations within the year.
Chery originally planned to begin production in Barcelona in two thousand twenty four. That target was later moved to the final quarter of two thousand twenty five before being delayed again. Company officials have cited commercial and regulatory factors for the postponements, including new European Union tariffs on Chinese made electric vehicles, which have complicated market entry strategies for several Asian automakers.
The Spanish plant is located at a former factory operated by Japanese carmaker Nissan, which closed the site in two thousand twenty one. Local and national authorities in Spain have welcomed Chery’s investment, viewing it as a sign of strengthening commercial ties between Spain and China and a boost for the country’s automotive sector. Spain is currently Europe’s second largest vehicle producer by volume.
The Barcelona operation is structured as a joint venture between Chery and Spanish automaker Ebro. Ebro, a historic brand that halted vehicle sales in nineteen eighty seven, returned to the market in two thousand twenty four. Under the partnership, Ebro is already assembling vehicles using shared platforms and technology developed with Chery, laying the groundwork for expanded production.
Once fully operational, the factory is expected to manufacture the Omoda five sport utility vehicle in both electric and combustion engine versions. Chery has also said that the Jaecoo seven model will later be added to the production lineup. The company plans to use the Barcelona plant not only to serve European customers but also as an export hub for markets in Latin America.
According to earlier projections, the Chery Ebro venture aims to reach annual production capacity of up to one hundred fifty thousand vehicles by two thousand twenty nine. If achieved, the Barcelona facility would become one of Chery’s key export bases outside China, reinforcing its ambition to expand globally despite rising trade barriers.
Chinese carmakers have steadily gained market share in Spain in recent years, helped by competitive pricing and a broader shift toward electric and hybrid vehicles. However, the evolving regulatory landscape in the European Union has introduced new uncertainties, forcing manufacturers to adapt their production and investment strategies.
For Spain, the arrival of Chery represents an opportunity to revitalise industrial capacity left idle after factory closures and to position itself as a gateway for new automotive investment. For Chery, the Barcelona plant marks a strategic step toward building a long term manufacturing footprint in Europe rather than relying solely on imports.
