Chery strengthens European footprint with Barcelona operations hub

Chery Group has officially expanded its global presence, opening a new European Operations Centre in Barcelona alongside a dedicated Spain-based research and development facility.

The Barcelona hub represents a major milestone for the Chinese automaker, serving as its first overseas regional operations centre. It will oversee key business functions across Europe, including compliance, supply chain management, finance, and public affairs, as Chery continues to scale its presence in the region.

Europe remains a key strategic market

Chery says Europe is central to its long-term strategy, both in terms of vehicle sales and technological development. The newly established R&D institute will focus on electrification, intelligent mobility, and sustainability, areas increasingly shaped by strict European regulatory standards.

The move comes amid strong growth across the region, with Chery now operating in 18 European markets and serving more than 100,000 customers. Sales across the UK and broader EU have risen significantly in early 2026, driven largely by growing demand for new energy vehicles.

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Localisation strategy gains momentum in Spain

Chery’s expansion in Spain is also being reinforced through its partnership with EV Motors to revive the historic EBRO marque. The collaboration has led to the reactivation of a manufacturing facility in Barcelona, generating more than 1,000 local jobs.

The company says its “local-for-local” approach developing vehicles and operations tailored specifically for regional markets will remain a cornerstone of its global expansion strategy.

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What it means for Australia and beyond

For markets like Australia, Chery’s growing investment in global R&D and electrification is expected to influence future product development, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies.

Chery will further showcase its latest advancements at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show 2026, where it plans to highlight progress in electrified powertrains, intelligent connectivity, and advanced safety systems.

As the brand accelerates its international growth, the new Barcelona hub underscores Chery’s ambition to become a more prominent player in the global automotive landscape, with Europe playing a pivotal role in shaping its next phase of innovation.