Spanish automaker Santana Motors is gearing up to resume production after a 14-year hiatus, marking a potential resurgence for the historically rugged off-road vehicle brand. A partnership with Chinese firms, including the Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), is fueling the revival, with plans to manufacture a new line of pickups at the company’s facility in Linares, Spain. Symbolic production of the new Santana 400 began December 5, 2025, as the company aims for full-scale output by early 2026.
Santana will also bring a diesel engine version with a manual transmission to market. Off-road equipment will include locking differentials on all three axles.
Foto: Santana
The new pickup from Santana is coming to market in diesel and plug-in hybrid versions.
Santana Motors is relaunching with a new pickup truck, marking a return for the Spanish brand after a period of dormancy. The company, historically known for its rugged and simple off-road vehicles produced in Andalusia, is partnering with Chinese firms, including the Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC), to revive production and expand into European markets.
Foto: Santana
santana2 Interiér je jednoduchý a funkčne zameraný.
The original Santana ceased operations in 2011 after the Andalusian regional government closed its Linares plant, impacting local employment. The closure followed the end of licensing agreements and a failure to successfully launch its own models in the competitive SUV and pickup truck market, compounded by a lack of capital for modernization and development. This revival aims to leverage existing industrial infrastructure and brand recognition while incorporating modern platforms and components from its Chinese partners.
The Santana 400, a five-seater double-cab pickup, will be the first model offered, available in both diesel (Santana 400 D) and plug-in hybrid (Santana 400 PHEV) versions. The company is touting the vehicle’s dimensions – approximately 5.5 meters in length – and its work-oriented capabilities, including a payload capacity exceeding 800 kilograms and a towing capacity of up to 3,200 kilograms. The diesel version will be available with both manual and automatic transmissions, and will feature terrain-focused configurations, including locking differentials on all three axles.
Čítajte viac Španielska off-roadová značka Santana ožíva. Vďaka čínskym peniazom
The plug-in hybrid model is targeted towards a broader range of uses, with a claimed electric range of approximately 120 kilometers and a combined range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. It is expected to deliver over 400 horsepower and a peak torque of 800 Nm. Final European specifications may be adjusted to meet homologation and emission requirements in individual markets.
Foto: Santana
santana3 Sériová výroba naplno nabehne začiatkom budúceho roku.
Symbolic production of the new pickup began on December 5, 2025, at the Linares facility, with the company anticipating full readiness of the assembly line by early 2026 and the subsequent commencement of series production. Initial market focus will be on Spain, with expansion planned to Portugal, Italy, and smaller markets like Andorra and Gibraltar in the first phase. Preliminary pricing for the Spanish market starts at €29,900 (excluding VAT) for the Santana 400 D and €44,700 (excluding VAT) for the 400 PHEV.
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