Chinese car brand seeks to buy Nissan’s plant in Spain

After taking over American brand Chevrolet’s factory in Thailand, Great Wall Motor is eyeing more assets in another continent. Specifically, the Chinese carmaker is keen on taking over a plant in Barcelona, Spain, that’s scheduled to be vacated by Japanese company Nissan by December this year.

Nissan's manufacturing facilities in Spain will likely go to Great Wall Motor of China

Nikkei Asia reports that three-way talks between Nissan, Great Wall, and Spanish authorities will be held to decide the fate of the facilities, comprising one large factory and two smaller ones. A source privy to the matter says that Great Wall expressed its interest in the bigger facility and is considering possible uses for the other two. 

Meanwhile, Nissan and the Spanish government will hold separate negotiations with electric motorcycle manufacturer Silence and local engineering firm QEV Technologies. The two companies are reportedly vying to get the smaller plants. 
“We are convinced we will be able to find solutions that are beneficial to everyone,” Nissan Spain Industrial Head Frank Torres said in a statement. 

Great Wall previously took over Chevrolet's factory in Thailand to manufacture hybrids and EVs

Nissan’s impending departure from Spain deals a huge blow to the country’s reputation as Europe’s second-largest car producer. The Japanese automaker announced the closure of its three Barcelona facilities as part of a global restructuring program. Nissan originally scheduled the shutdown for December 2020 but pushed the timeline back by a year as it explored alternative industrial projects.      

Operations of the three plants benefit around 3,000 direct employees and 20,000 indirect personnel. However, a union source says that only 1,600 direct jobs are on the line as a large part of the workforce availed of early retirement packages and other measures.
  
Great Wall has not disclosed what it plans to do with the factories in the meantime, but insider sources say that the around 1,300 jobs could be retained. The company previously acquired Chevrolet’s Rayong production facilities in 2020, upgrading the factory to manufacture SUVs under the Haval brand, as well as hybrids and electric vehicles.    

Read about more takeovers and acquisitions in the industry at Philkotse.com.