Automotive group Ebro Motors has closed a financing agreement of up to €200 million with the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) to upgrade paint facilities and production lines at its Zona Franca plant in Barcelona, ara.cat reported.
The capital injection aims to modernize the facility’s new P2 paint shop and prepare the brand for its next phase of international expansion. According to the terms of the agreement signed through subsidiaries Ebro SUV and Ebro Factory, the loan spans a 10-year term with a three-year grace period and a fixed interest rate of 2.65 percent. The exact monetary figure remains an estimate because the transaction is denominated in Chinese yuan.
The initial drawdown of funds under the agreement will total €35 million. Company representatives described the initiative as a decisive step toward incorporating full industrial manufacturing capabilities at the Barcelona site, which previously operated as a Nissan manufacturing hub before industrial activity resumed.
Financing Terms and Production Targets at the Zona Franca Plant
The financial backing supports ongoing industrial growth at the Barcelona complex, where operations have expanded since March along the new M1 assembly line. The line handles higher-value vehicle assembly and integrates a welding zone equipped with nearly 200 robots.
Ebro Motors president Rafael Ruiz stated that the agreement provides the necessary backing for the company’s next growth stage. With industrial activity re-established at the former Nissan site, the company is positioned to consolidate a comprehensive production project and scale up exports.
Production figures released for September show the brand has surpassed 20,000 registered vehicles, securing a 2.2 percent market share in Spain. The company operates 105 sales points across Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Croatia. Leadership targets a total volume of 26,000 to 29,000 units sold by the end of the year, alongside a retail network exceeding 110 operational sales points.
International Expansion and Industrial Partnership with Chery
Following its initial footprint in Portugal, Bulgaria, and Croatia, Ebro plans an upcoming market entry in Slovenia, with additional international distribution routes scheduled for development.
Financing Agreement Details at a Glance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Financing Facility | Up to €200 million (estimated via Chinese yuan denomination) |
| Initial Disbursement | €35 million |
| Interest Rate | 2.65 percent fixed |
| Lender | Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) |
| Industrial Partner | Chery |
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