13:55 29-04-2026

Chery Starts Electric Vehicle Assembly in Spain in 2026

Chery begins EV production in Spain in 2026 at a former Nissan plant, using SKD and CKD assembly to avoid EU tariffs on Chinese EVs, boosting competitiveness.

Chinese auto giant Chery is preparing to launch electric vehicle production in Europe. In the third quarter of 2026, the company will begin trial assembly of Omoda and Jaecoo models in Spain, with full-scale production potentially underway by the end of the year. This marks a key step in strengthening the brand’s position in the EU market.

The project is taking place at the former Nissan plant in Barcelona, where vehicles are already being assembled under the Ebro brand. Initially, the setup involves SKD assembly, but Chery will soon transition to CKD format with deeper localization.

In practice, this means key operations including welding, painting, and final assembly will be performed in Spain. The first fully localized EV is expected to be the Jaecoo 5 EV, followed by the Omoda 5 EV.

The main driver is EU tariffs on Chinese EVs. By moving production to Europe, Chery avoids extra costs and makes its vehicles more price-competitive.

This is essentially the standard strategy of Chinese brands: localization over imports. Other manufacturers are already using this approach to establish a foothold in the European market.

The launch in Spain is more than a logistical move—it sends a signal to the entire industry. Chinese brands are shifting from exporting to a full-fledged presence in Europe, including production, R&D, and local model adaptation. For Spain, that means new jobs and industrial growth; for the market, it ramps up competition in the EV segment.