BARCELONA — Great Wall Motor has withdrawn its interest in taking over Nissan’s main plant in Barcelona which is scheduled to shut by year-end, the automaker’s unions said on Monday.
Great Wall, Spain’s Industry Ministry and Catalonia’s regional government business department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Coming just weeks before Nissan’s three Barcelona plants are scheduled to close, the decision is a blow to authorities and leaves the fate of around 1,600 direct jobs up in the air, as GWM was the main contender to take over the largest factory.
Industry Minister Reyes Maroto said last week she expected a “positive response” from Great Wall by Dec. 17 when a meeting on the plants’ future will be held.
Her ministry had made an improved proposal to the Chinese company after it had reportedly cast doubts on its initial interest in the plant.