Corporate brand
UnclaimedSpanish automotive brand relaunched through an EV Motors–Chery manufacturing partnership.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
EBRO is a Spanish automotive brand revived in the 2020s through a partnership between Spanish automotive company EV Motors and Chinese manufacturer Chery. The name recalls Motor Ibérica, the historic Spanish vehicle manufacturer whose former Barcelona production site later became associated with Nissan. EBRO's modern development is closely tied to the restructuring of vehicle manufacturing at Nissan's Zona Franca factory in Barcelona after Nissan ended production there at the end of 2021. The Barcelona plant had previously produced commercial and off-road vehicles, including the Nissan Navara and Nissan NV200. Its later years were affected by weak profitability, limited production volumes, the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce reductions and industrial action. Nissan's withdrawal formed part of a wider Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi restructuring that reduced Nissan's manufacturing presence in Europe. The closure created an opportunity for a new industrial project centered on preserving vehicle production in the region. An initial proposal came from EcoPower Automotive, a consortium formed by Jaton Racing, Api Brothers, Btech and Nexus Projectes. Its plan included an electric pickup derived heavily from the Nissan Navara and proposed reviving the Ebro commercial name. That pickup remained a prototype rather than entering established series production. EcoPower Automotive subsequently changed its name to EV Motors and negotiated a broader industrial arrangement with Chery. In 2024, EV Motors and Chery agreed to form a joint venture intended to manufacture Chery-related vehicles in Europe. Local assembly was designed to reduce the effect of European trade barriers while giving Chery a stronger regional manufacturing base. Assembly at the Barcelona facility began in November 2024 under a CKD model, in which many components are supplied in disassembled form from Chery operations in China and then assembled locally. The partners' stated longer-term objective is to modernize the site and progress toward more complete vehicle manufacturing. EBRO's initial passenger-vehicle range is based largely on Chery platforms and model architecture. The announced or referenced range includes the S400, S700, S800 and S900 sport utility vehicles, while the Ebro Pickup represents the brand's connection to the earlier commercial-vehicle revival project. The model strategy gives EBRO a Spanish identity and local production story while relying on Chery's engineering, components and vehicle platforms. The brand is therefore best understood as a Spain-focused automotive marque rather than an independent vehicle manufacturer with a fully separate technology stack. Its positioning combines industrial regeneration at the Barcelona plant, European assembly and a revived historic name with Chery's product portfolio and manufacturing resources. EBRO has also announced an intention to enter the 2026 Dakar Rally with the S800-XRR T1+, a competition derivative of the Century CR7, using motorsport to build visibility for the new brand. The brand's long-term scale, ownership structure, final production localization and broader European market performance remain developing.
History
EBRO's modern history began with the industrial consequences of Nissan's withdrawal from its Zona Franca manufacturing complex in Barcelona. The site had a longer automotive history connected to Motor Ibérica, the Spanish manufacturer whose commercial name later became the basis for the EBRO revival. Nissan had acquired and operated the facility after Motor Ibérica's earlier ownership period, producing vehicles such as the Navara pickup and NV200 van. Although the factory received substantial investment, its later production profile was constrained by relatively low-volume commercial and off-road models and by weakening profitability. The COVID-19 economic disruption intensified pressure on the operation. Workforce reductions and a subsequent strike took place while the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi alliance was reorganizing its European footprint. Nissan ultimately stopped production at the Barcelona site at the end of 2021. The closure threatened an established industrial base and prompted proposals aimed at retaining vehicle manufacturing, jobs and supply-chain activity in the region. One early proposal came from EcoPower Automotive, a consortium comprising Jaton Racing, Api Brothers, Btech and Nexus Projectes. The group proposed an electric pickup that drew heavily on the Nissan Navara previously built at the plant. It also sought to revive the Ebro name, linking the proposed new vehicle to the historical identity of Spanish commercial-vehicle manufacturing. The vehicle remained at the prototype or project stage and did not become the foundation of a fully established retail range. EcoPower Automotive later became EV Motors. In 2024, EV Motors reached an agreement with Chery to create a joint venture for European vehicle manufacturing. The partnership gave Chery an industrial route into Europe and gave the Barcelona site a new production program. Local production could also help address trade barriers affecting vehicles imported directly from China. Assembly began in November 2024, initially through completely knocked-down kits. Under this method, most major components are shipped from Chery facilities in China and assembled at the European plant. The partners described a longer-term plan to modernize the facility and increase the level of local manufacturing. This required adapting infrastructure that had become outdated after years of limited investment and the end of Nissan's operation. The planned production scale was described as reaching up to 150,000 vehicles, supported by investment planned through 2029; because the available reference does not establish audited results or completed investment, these figures are treated as plans rather than achieved performance. EBRO's product program is based primarily on Chery models and platforms. The S400 is associated with the Chery Tiggo 4, the S700 with the Chery Tiggo 7 and the S800 with the Chery Tiggo 8. An S900, associated with the Chery Tiggo 9X, has also been referenced. The range extends the brand beyond its original pickup concept and places it in the sport-utility and passenger-vehicle categories. The Ebro Pickup remains important to the brand's origin story, but the available material does not establish a confirmed mass-production launch date for it. Motorsport is another part of the brand-building strategy. EBRO is scheduled to participate in the 2026 Dakar Rally with the S800-XRR T1+, a competition derivative of the Century CR7. The rally program is intended to increase recognition and associate the revived name with durability and off-road capability. As of the available reference material, EBRO remains a developing brand whose eventual market footprint, production localization and corporate structure are still evolving.
- 2026
Planned Dakar Rally entry
[1]EBRO is scheduled to compete in the Dakar Rally with the S800-XRR T1+.
- 2024
EV Motors and Chery establish a European manufacturing partnership
[1]EV Motors and Chery agreed to cooperate on European production and vehicle assembly at the former Nissan facility in Barcelona.
- 2024
CKD assembly begins in Barcelona
[1]Assembly reportedly started in November using disassembled components supplied from Chery's Chinese facilities.
- 2023
The EBRO automotive brand is revived
[1]A new Spanish automotive project emerged under the EBRO name, reviving the commercial identity associated with Motor Ibérica.
- 2021
Nissan ends production at the Barcelona Zona Franca site
[1]Nissan ended vehicle manufacturing at the Barcelona facility at the end of 2021, creating the industrial conditions for a successor project using the EBRO name.
Products and positioning
A revived Spanish automotive brand combining local production in Barcelona with Chery-derived vehicles, European assembly and a heritage connection to Motor Ibérica.
Pickup truck
Ebro Pickup
The Ebro Pickup was part of the initial plan to revive vehicle production in Barcelona. The concept was developed around an electric pickup heavily derived from the Nissan Navara previously built at the site. It was initially aimed mainly at company fleets rather than private buyers. The available reference describes it as a prototype and project vehicle rather than a confirmed series-production model.
Sport utility vehicle
Ebro S400
The S400 is an EBRO-branded sport utility vehicle based on the Chery Tiggo 4. It represents the brand's move from an initial electric-pickup concept toward a broader passenger-vehicle portfolio using Chery platforms and components. The available material does not provide a confirmed launch date, specification set or detailed powertrain information.
Sport utility vehicle
Ebro S700
The S700 is an EBRO model associated with the Chery Tiggo 7. It is positioned within the brand's mid-size SUV-oriented range and is part of the product strategy built around European assembly of Chery-derived vehicles. Detailed market specifications and a confirmed commercial launch date are not established in the supplied reference.
Sport utility vehicle
Ebro S800
The S800 is associated with the Chery Tiggo 8 and forms part of EBRO's larger SUV range. Its importance is reinforced by the planned S800-XRR T1+ Dakar competition derivative, which connects the model family with the brand's off-road and motorsport communications. The available material does not confirm final retail specifications or launch timing.
Sport utility vehicle
Ebro S900
The S900 is associated with the Chery Tiggo 9X and is described as the upper end of the referenced EBRO SUV range. It extends the brand's planned portfolio into a larger vehicle class while retaining the Chery-derived product architecture. Confirmed specifications, launch date and market availability are not provided by the available source.
Marketing campaigns
- 2026Dakar Rally program
International motorsport
EBRO is scheduled to enter the 2026 Dakar Rally with the S800-XRR T1+, a competition derivative of the Century CR7. The program links the revived brand to endurance, off-road performance and international visibility.
Outcome. The event outcome was not available in the supplied reference.
Brand decisions
2026
Planned entry into the Dakar RallyOtherBackground
As a newly revived automotive name, EBRO sought a high-profile platform to develop brand awareness and emphasize off-road capability.
Action taken
The brand planned to compete with the S800-XRR T1+, derived from the Century CR7.
Aftermath
The competition result and commercial effect were not available in the supplied reference.
2024
Creation of the EV Motors–Chery manufacturing joint ventureM&ABackground
Following Nissan's departure from Barcelona, EV Motors sought a partner capable of supplying vehicle technology, components and production scale for a European manufacturing restart.
Action taken
EV Motors and Chery agreed to cooperate through a joint venture focused on producing Chery-related vehicles in Europe under the EBRO brand.
Aftermath
The partnership enabled assembly to begin at the Barcelona facility in November 2024, initially using CKD kits, while the partners planned further modernization and localization.
2024
Adoption of an initial CKD assembly modelStrategyBackground
The revived manufacturing site required modernization, while the new partnership needed to restart production before a fully localized supply chain was in place.
Action taken
EBRO began by importing most vehicle components from Chery facilities in China in disassembled form and joining them at the Barcelona plant.
Aftermath
The CKD model provided an initial route to European assembly, with a stated longer-term intention to manufacture vehicles more completely in Spain after the facility is adapted and modernized.
Recent events
Sources2 sources
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