Chinese automaker Chery plans to start producing its own vehicles in Spain in 2026. The company's vice president and head of its EU business, Zhu Shaodong, confirmed the delay of its first European plant launch on February 6.

Chery originally aimed to begin assembly in Barcelona as early as 2024, but the project has faced repeated postponements. The latest shift from the fourth quarter of 2025 was driven by commercial factors, including the European Union's tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Zhu Shaodong noted that the company continues preparing the site and hopes to start production as soon as possible within the year, without specifying a particular quarter.

The production facility is located at the former Nissan plant in Barcelona and operates as a joint venture with Spanish automaker Ebro. Ebro, which halted sales back in 1987, was revived in 2024 and already produces vehicles using a shared platform and technology with Chery. Spanish authorities view Chery's investment as validation of the country's potential, which remains Europe's second-largest automotive manufacturer by volume.

Chery has previously stated that the Barcelona plant is set to produce the Omoda 5 crossover in both electric and internal combustion engine versions, with the Jaecoo 7 joining later. In the long term, the facility will serve not only the European market but also exports to Latin America.

The Chery-Ebro joint venture aims to reach an annual production capacity of up to 150,000 vehicles by 2029, positioning the Spanish plant as one of the Chinese conglomerate's key export hubs.