Renault’s CEO wants the EU to stop adding new car rules for ten years, warning that rising costs are making vehicles less affordable. The company says slowing regulation is basic for European carmakers to stay competitive.
Leapmotor boss Zhu Jiangming wants more than bigger sales. He aims to change what a car is, promising a new brand and technology that could reshape driving as profoundly as the iPhone changed phones.
Chinese automakers are moving in. BYD, Geely, Chery, MG, CATL and Leapmotor are planning or establishing production and battery operations in Spain, seeking to avoid EU tariffs and reshape the country’s car industry.
Volkswagen Navarra has started building the ID Cross, its first all-electric model, at a turning point for the factory and Spain’s automotive sector. The new SUV will go to 34 countries, giving the region a larger foothold in Europe’s electric vehicle market.
Electric vehicles are breaking sales records worldwide and gaining ground in Spain. Yet Spain’s manufacturing output is slipping, and the country remains far from its 2030 electrification goals. The gap between ambition and reality is growing.
BYD is close to naming Spain a finalist for its next European factory, a move that could boost the country’s role in electric vehicle manufacturing. The decision is still pending as competition among Chinese brands for Spanish production intensifies.
Volkswagen is counting on compact electric cars to reach one million vehicles produced in Spain and Portugal by 2027. ID.Cross production in Navarra signals a major shift, as new models and expanded factories reshape the region’s automotive industry.
Volkswagen has begun production of the ID Cross in Navarra, completing the electrification of its Spanish factories. The group is targeting more than one million vehicles annually across its Iberian plants, with plans to strengthen employment and back future investment.
BYD is focusing on Spain and France for its next European factory, prioritizing the purchase and rapid upgrade of an existing site to accelerate production and stay ahead of competitors.
SAIC will manufacture the MG2 electric car at its Ferrol plant from late 2028, targeting annual production of 73,000 units. The model is designed to challenge the Renault 5 and MINI Cooper in the competitive B-segment.
McLaren will launch its first SUV before 2030, investing £500 million to take on Ferrari and Aston Martin in the high-end SUV segment.
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz openly acknowledges the strength of Chinese automotive technology and the scale of the challenge facing European and US carmakers as Chinese brands gain ground in basic markets.
BYD is close to choosing a site for its second European car factory, with Spain and France leading the shortlist. The company’s push for local production responds directly to EU tariffs and new rules on local content.
Nissan is bringing its Kicks e-Power SUV to Europe for the first time, with production set for Sunderland and a £170 million investment. The move signals a new phase in the brand’s electrification strategy and manufacturing footprint.
Chinese carmakers are moving beyond exports to Spain and building factories there. Chery and SAIC are investing heavily, alongside Stellantis, as Spain emerges as a major EU automotive center and challenges Germany and France.
Chinese automakers are making fast inroads in Spain, challenging established brands and reshaping Europe's car industry. Industry expert Tu Le explains why Spain is at the center of this shift and what it means for the future of mobility.
Chinese electric carmakers are expanding rapidly in Europe, with Spain at the center of the shift. Industry consultant Tu Le explains why the country is becoming a basic battleground for the future of the car industry.
SEAT, once a symbol of Spanish mobility and ambition, now faces a crossroads. As Volkswagen restructures and turns its Spanish focus to CUPRA, SEAT’s future is uncertain, raising questions about Spain’s industrial direction.
Chinese companies now control or have partnerships at six major Spanish automotive plants. The latest change puts VW’s Sagunto battery factory under Gotion’s management after a Korean partner pulled out.
Nissan will build its Kicks e-Power hybrid SUV for Europe at the Sunderland plant in the UK, a major investment in local manufacturing and a fresh step in the company’s electrification plans for the region.
Skoda’s new Epiq 40 electric SUV launches at 18,500 euros with incentives. Its 135 hp motor delivers a 324 km WLTP range, while the boot holds 475 litres. Built in Spain, it’s now the brand’s most accessible EV and targets city drivers seeking practicality at a lower price.
Leapmotor’s B10 has quickly become one of Spain’s top-selling electric SUVs, helping the brand reach 300,000 global units in just 18 months. With rapid growth and plans for local production, the Chinese automaker is making its mark on the European EV market.
Horse Powertrain’s B20 engine, developed in Spain, can keep running when a vehicle is submerged more than a meter underwater. Already powering hybrid SUVs in China, the B20 combines durability with a thermal efficiency of 48.4%.
The Santana Cajal and Dacia Bigster take different approaches to winning over Spanish SUV buyers. One relies on diesel power and off-road technology; the other emphasizes efficiency and price. The choice could surprise families shopping for a car.
VW Navarra will train 1,050 people for new weekend shifts without pay or contracts. The regional government is allocating one million euros for the program. Unions warn of exploitation and demand transparency.
This Thursday, the Edda Fjord, a 120-meter hybrid vessel built for Norway, will be launched in Asturias. The project involves 400 professionals and marks a major basic stage for Spanish shipbuilding, with delivery scheduled for 2027.
Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has promised to do everything possible to keep the Seat brand alive after Volkswagen admitted it may discontinue the Spanish marque. The government’s approach faces a major test as the auto industry shifts to electric vehicles.
Biomass consumption in Catalonia jumped 19 percent in 2025. Industrial demand is rising fast, but forest-clearing efforts remain far behind. Underused woodland continues to accumulate, increasing the region’s wildfire risks.
Seat, once a symbol of Spain’s automotive rise, could disappear from showrooms after 2030 as Volkswagen weighs its investment priorities and bets on Cupra. The brand’s future now hinges on the group’s electric strategy and regulatory pressures.
Nearly 8 million Skoda Octavias have been built since 1996. The model’s steady rise from modest beginnings to a European bestseller shows what really drives Skoda’s success.
Volkswagen’s sweeping job cuts and plant closures in Germany could give Seat a lifeline. As the group restructures its European operations, the Spanish automaker could take on new models and help secure jobs.
Volkswagen will cut 50,000 jobs and reduce production in Europe by 2030, putting the future of four major German factories in doubt. The company is responding to overcapacity and mounting pressure from Chinese automakers.
Seat’s future is up for debate as Volkswagen’s board meets to set a new direction. Spanish sales are rising, but with no new models and industry pressure mounting, the brand faces tough questions.
Seat, a fixture of Spain’s car industry for 76 years, is set to disappear as a brand by 2029. Volkswagen’s internal plans pair a shift toward Cupra with job cuts, while giving the Martorell plant a new role.
Range Rover has launched its first fully electric SUV, offering up to 600 km of range and charging from 10% to 80% in 22 minutes. Orders are open in the UK, but pricing and delivery details for Spain are still unknown.
