It was manufactured in Zaragoza and was Spanish: the Aragonese car brand that the Chinese have revived

An icon of the city of Zaragoza, all of Aragon, and even much of the Iberian Peninsula, the Ebro is much more than a river. Even the most nostalgic among us will easily recall the illustrious Spanish automobile brand of the same name, which became so popular during the second half of the 20th century.

After decades in the shadows, it’s now back thanks to investment from Chinese manufacturer Chery, which has revived it in recent months. For now, they’re entering the market with two new models that honor the company’s history and are being manufactured in Barcelona.

EBRO, THE CAR BRAND WITH AN ARAGONESE PAST THAT THE CHINESE HAVE RESURRECTED

Ebro was founded by Motor Ibérica SA in Spain in 1954 after the nationalization of Ford’s factories. It quickly became a leading manufacturer of a wide range of transport vehicles (SUVs, vans, trucks, buses, etc.), agricultural machinery (tractors, combine harvesters, etc.), and machinery for construction and public works.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the company enjoyed its golden age, expanding its production and exporting its products to several countries. In 1976, the company obtained a license to manufacture its vehicles in Morocco and reached agreements with DAF for truck manufacturing. Motor Ibérica grew to have 20 factories in 13 Spanish provinces, employing 11,000 people.

However, in 1979, Nissan acquired a stake in Motor Ibérica, marking the beginning of the decline of the Ebro brand. By the mid-1980s, production under the Ebro brand began to decline, and in 1986, Nissan Motor Ibérica took full control of Motor Ibérica, renaming the company.

Ebro vehicles were gradually replaced by Nissan models, and the brand disappeared from the market. Now, more than three decades later, the company has been acquired by Chery, one of the largest automobile manufacturers in China.

THERE WILL BE AN EBRO DEALERSHIP IN ZARAGOZA

One of the major announcements accompanying Ebro’s return is the opening of a dealership in Zaragoza. The Aragonese capital will be one of the first cities to have a sales outlet and display of the brand’s new models.

Spain’s fourth-largest city will have a sales outlet and exhibition of the brand’s new models, thanks to a collaboration with Vian Automobile, a long-standing dealership in the region.

THE TWO NEW CARS THAT EBRO WILL MANUFACTURE

Ebro’s rebirth isn’t limited to a single model. The brand has already announced the launch of two vehicles (the S-700 and S-800). The first is an electric SUV (available in combustion and plug-in hybrid versions), and the second is a pickup truck geared toward sustainable mobility and advanced technology, priced at around €30,000. They are manufactured in Barcelona.