Chery Automobile's joint-venture factory in Spain starts production of first vehicle model

Beijing (Gasgoo)- On November 23, Chinese automaker Chery Automobile and Spain's Ebro-EV Motors officially commenced vehicle production at their joint-venture facility, the Ebro Factory, located in Barcelona's Zona Franca.

The launch was marked by a ceremony attended by Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu, who hailed the partnership as a model for future Sino-Spanish collaborations.  

The factory's first production vehicle model is the S700 SUV, with the S800 to follow in the next few weeks. Both mid-sized models will be available with plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and internal combustion engine options. The launch coincides with the 70th anniversary of the historic Ebro brand's revival.  

The agreement between Chery Automobile and Ebro-EV Motors, signed in April, allows their joint venture to develop and produce new electric vehicles. Meanwhile, their partnership positions Chery Automobile as the first Chinese automaker to manufacture vehicles in Europe. The Ebro Factory repurposes a former Nissan plant that shut down in 2021, with plans to create 1,250 jobs and reach an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles by 2029.  

Ebro and Chery's collaborative vehicle models will be distributed across Spain through an expanding network of over 45 confirmed sales points, 30 of which are expected to be operational by the end of this year.