Spanish automaker Ebro-EV Motors and China’s Chery Automobile have marked the commencement of vehicle production at their joint venture, Ebro Factory, located in Barcelona. The event was graced by the presence of Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu.
The collaboration between the two companies was formalized in April with the objective of developing and manufacturing vehicles under the revived Ebro brand. The Ebro EV Motors took over the manufacturing plant in Barcelona’s Villa Franca port area from Nissan following the cessation of production by the Japanese automaker in 2021. The facility will now focus on producing plug-in hybrid (PHEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) S700 and S800 SUVs, which are based on the Chery Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 models.
During the ceremony, Rafael Ruiz, the president of EV Motors – Ebro’s parent company, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration among various stakeholders, including institutions, unions, investors, and Chery. He highlighted the significance of breathing new life into a new generation of vehicles that combine historical legacy with innovation. The relaunch of the Ebro brand coincides with the 70th anniversary of the original Spanish Ebro commercial vehicle brand.
Chery’s Chairman, Yin Tongyue, emphasized the strategic partnership between Chery and Ebro in transforming the Ebro brand into Spain’s primary national automobile brand. The focus is on achieving sustainable development through the joint advancement and promotion of new green energy technologies.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez lauded the alliance, noting the rarity of witnessing the revival of an iconic brand and expressing shared joy among all stakeholders.
The joint venture aims to ramp up production to 50,000 vehicles annually by 2027, with further plans to increase production to 150,000 vehicles by 2029. The partnership between Ebro-EV Motors and Chery signifies a significant step towards innovation and sustainable development in the automotive industry.
