Chery’s EU partner sources local parts to dodge tariffs
Chery Automobile’s Spanish partner, EV Motors, is working to source locally made components for their joint venture to market vehicles as European and meet EU content requirements, especially after recent tariffs on Chinese EV imports. The partnership aims to produce combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles at a former Nissan plant in Barcelona, starting with sport-utility vehicles this month and moving towards full-scale manufacturing by next year. The flagship Omoda 5 EV’s launch was delayed to October 2025 due to tariffs, but EV Motors plans to avoid them by manufacturing in Europe. The 300,000-square-meter factory, with an initial workforce of 200 and capacity for one car every 10 minutes, will eventually expand to employ 1,250 workers by 2026.