Ebro begins production of its first models at the Barcelona Free Trade Zone plant
The alliance between the Spanish brand and China’s Chery has resulted in the first car to be produced at the former Nissan plant in Barcelona being the Ebro s700, a five-seat SUV that will come with hybrid or internal combustion engines. Another SUV, the s800, will be released next, with seven seats and the same powertrain options.
Last April, Ebro became the first Spanish brand to sign an agreement with a Chinese manufacturer to produce cars in Spain. This strategic industrial and business alliance has been concluded with Chery, and together they will begin production and marketing of Ebro vehicles at a plant in the Barcelona Free Trade Zone.
The agreement provided for the creation of two joint ventures: the so-called Ebro SUV, majority owned by EV Motors, intended for marketing and after-sales service of Ebro brand SUVs in the markets of Spain and Andorra (and later in other countries).
The other contracting party is the one corresponding to Chery’s investment in the Zona Franca plant, which also has a majority stake in EV MOTORS, and which Its goal will be to produce models from two automobile companies.
The first vehicle to be produced at the plant will be the s700 SUV, followed by the s800 SUV in the coming weeks.. The production of these models is timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the historical Spanish brand, which is now being revived.
Both the s700 and s800 are two mid-size SUVs with PHEV (Plug in Hybrid) engines and internal combustion systems, very technologically advanced, with top-level safety standards and driving aids. The goal that the company has set for itself is ambitious, as by 2025 it intends to make these two models among the best sellers in their segment.
- – Plug-in hybrids: Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine combined with an electric motor, they deliver a total output of 350 PS. These models have a range of more than 90 kilometers in electric mode.
- – Internal combustion versions: they are equipped with a 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine producing 150 hp. and maximum torque of 275 Nm. Transmission – automatic. Both versions have front-wheel drive.
Both cars, whose appearance emphasizes their reliability, classic and premium lines, as well as a spacious interior and trunk, differ mainly in the number of seats. The S700 is a five-seater car with a length of 4.51 meters, a width of 1.86 meters and a height of 1.69 meters.
For its part, the Ebro s800 offers seven seats and is longer at 4.72 meters, while maintaining the same width at 1.86 meters and a slightly higher height at 1.70 meters.
The cars will be sold in two trim levels and different equipment and are intended for a family audience. According to the brand itself, the price, which has not yet been announced, should be competitive.
The vehicles will be sold throughout Spain through a distribution network that already has more than 45 confirmed sales points, 30 of which will be operational by the end of the year.
Production will take place in two stages. In the first case, cars will be assembled at the plant starting in 2025, and production will include welding, painting and complete assembly processes.. This progress will enable the integration of the local supplier fleet, thereby strengthening the value chain and having a positive impact on the nearby industrial plant.
Except, The possibility of creating a joint research and development center in Barcelona, similar to the one Chery has in Frankfurt (Germany), is being explored. among four others distributed throughout the world. If confirmed, this would mean that the agreement would cover all elements that make up the automotive industry value chain with the company based in Spain.
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Tags: Spanish car brands, SUVs, compact SUVs, hybrid SUVs