More than a thousand nights have passed since Nissan announced the closure of its Catalonia plants, and the region began to rethink its industrial future. In the wake of the decision, the company’s successor plan has moved forward, with a strong focus on reindustrializing the Free Zone and creating new jobs. Officials project the transfer of hundreds of roles and the establishment of a production hub that could eventually assemble tens of thousands of electric vehicles, marking a turning point for the area. The leadership of the Free Zone Consortium has highlighted the ambitions to bring stability and growth back to the site and its workers, under the watchful eye of regional authorities and industry partners.
They gathered at the General Staff this Monday to advance the reindustrialization strategy. The consortium owns the land previously occupied by Nissan, and the top officials steering the plan were present, alongside industry ministers and business leaders. Attendance included high-ranking figures from the regional economy and energy sectors, as well as representatives of the workforce and the Free Zone’s governing body. The meeting underlined the joint commitment to repurpose the site and secure a sustainable future for the area.
Opinions about the plan were nuanced. Participants spoke of a historic day, reflecting the long road toward finding Nissan’s successor and stabilizing the local economy. D-Hub, the company chosen to spearhead the project, was scrutinized for solvency and ability to satisfy its obligations, though no one doubted that progress had been made. The consortium announced that an area of 517,000 square meters, once home to Nissan, would be repurposed for the new venture and would serve as a cornerstone of the reindustrialization effort.
In the photos released from the event, Trade Minister Roger Torrent, Industry Minister Reyes Maroto, and CZFB chair Pere Navarro were shown signing the protocol for the reindustrialization of the Free Zone, signaling a formal commitment to the plan. This moment captured the shift from debate to action and the tangible steps toward rebuilding local manufacturing capacity.
New doubts have arisen about the solvency of the new project, but the collaboration behind D-Hub remains strong. D-Hub emerged from a joint effort by two Catalan consultancies, with a combined turnover of several tens of millions and hundreds of employees reported in recent years. The plan envisions the construction of the first large electric vehicle factory in Catalonia, with a production capacity of up to 180,000 vehicles annually across three shifts, and more than 1,000 workers hired by 2024. A strategic alliance with a European investor has been pivotal to maintaining financial viability during negotiations.
CEO Joan Orús acknowledged the essential role of public support throughout the process. He noted that government backing, including pre-investment commitments, has been critical in moving the project forward. While securing financing proved challenging at times, the flow of public resources—supported by European funds and guarantees from the regional development bank—helped sustain the plan. The parties involved have kept a degree of confidentiality around specific monetary figures, citing banking sensitivities, even as the overall package remains in the public eye.
With the green light for Nissan’s reindustrialization given this week, D-Hub faces the task of delivering on its promises to secure the land lease and begin revitalizing the site. The property, publicly owned and located near Barcelona with strong logistics connections, is slated for an early phase of refurbishment, starting with a small workforce to ready the infrastructure and assets left behind by Nissan. The asset transfer is complete, and although the exact amount involved has not been disclosed, the broader plan includes Nissan retaining a portion of vehicle sales over the coming years. The management aims to open the factory and reach a workforce of about 1,000 by 2025, while hiring at least 600 people in early 2024 to kick off renovations.
Beyond the reestablished vehicle lineup, D-Hub is set to launch its own electric vehicle line, including a Zeroid minibus designed for last-mile delivery. Other businesses have shown interest in installing these vehicles at their facilities. In the medium term, the plan envisions 60 percent of vehicles produced in the Free Zone to be part of D-Hub’s two brands, with the remaining 40 percent produced under arrangements for other clients. Orús stated that talks with potential dealers are already advancing, with dozens of prospective partners aligned to distribute the new products.
In summary, the Catalonia project represents a major pivot in regional industry: transforming a shuttered plant into a modern hub focused on electric mobility, supported by public funds, European instruments, and a mix of strategic private partnerships. The road ahead will require careful execution of the manufacturing strategy, steady financial backing, and continued collaboration among government bodies, investors, and the workforce to realize the target of creating thousands of jobs and establishing a flagship EV production campus in the heart of Catalonia.