The Chinese group SAIC will build its first electric vehicle factory in Europe in Spain

The Chinese car manufacturer SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) will build its first electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Europe in Ferrol, in the autonomous community of Galicia (Spain). The president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, announced the project in early June. According to his statements, the initial investment will amount to 200 million euros and will generate more than 2,300 jobs in the area.

According to the official schedule, the plant will begin construction in 2027 and become operational by the end of 2028, with an annual production capacity of 120,000 vehicles. In addition, President Rueda indicated that the project includes the construction of an auxiliary industrial park near the local port, which will be responsible for the assembly and transport of the vehicles.

The Regional Minister of Economy and Industry of the Xunta de Galicia, María Jesús Lorenzana Somoza, highlighted that this project is «the largest industrial project of recent decades» in Galicia, and that it will bring extensive opportunities for economic and industrial development to the region.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun answered questions about this project at the August 12 press conference. He indicated that China has taken note of the positive statements made by the Spanish central government and local authorities. China is willing to continuously deepen bilateral pragmatic cooperation with Spain under the principles of mutual respect and reciprocal benefit, and hopes that Spain will provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory business environment.

Analysts point out that once the project materializes, it will not only create abundant jobs and economic opportunities in Ferrol and throughout Galicia, but will also boost the development of Spain's electric vehicle industry, leveraging SAIC's technological and supply chain advantages. The project reflects the broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Spain in the fields of new energy and smart manufacturing.

Note: This article has been prepared using information from Xinhua News Agency, China News Service, El País, the Chinese Embassy in Spain, and Global Times.