In Linares, the story of Santana is being written once again. The El Pósito Auditorium hosted the presentation of “De la Metalúrgica a la Leyenda”, a book by Juan Navarro, a former employee of the factory and a first-hand witness to almost four decades of its activity. The work pays tribute to the legacy of a brand that marked generations of workers — and which today is once again producing vehicles in the same city where it was born.
During the event, Navarro explained how, after more than twenty years of research and writing, he was finally able to shape a narrative that retraces the company’s most significant milestones: from its origins as Metalúrgica de Santa Ana, through the years of collaboration with Land Rover, Suzuki, and IVECO, to the development of iconic models such as the Santana Aníbal, which still serves within the Spanish Army’s fleet.
The author spent his entire career at the Linares plant, holding various positions — from assembly line supervisor for the Santana 2500 to line chief for the Aníbal and the IVECO Massif. His experience is reflected in a book that combines technical accuracy with personal testimony, enriched with previously unpublished photographs, anecdotes, and historical documents. The goal: to bring Santana’s history closer to new generations and reaffirm its essential role in Spain’s automotive industry.
During the presentation, Edu Blanco, CEO of Santana Motors, expressed the company’s support for Navarro’s work and reiterated its commitment to preserving the brand’s legacy:
The author spent his entire career at the Linares plant, holding various positions — from assembly line supervisor for the Santana 2500 to line chief for the Aníbal and the IVECO Massif. His experience is reflected in a book that combines technical accuracy with personal testimony, enriched with previously unpublished photographs, anecdotes, and historical documents. The goal: to bring Santana’s history closer to new generations and reaffirm its essential role in Spain’s automotive industry.
During the presentation, Edu Blanco, CEO of Santana Motors, expressed the company’s support for Navarro’s work and reiterated its commitment to preserving the brand’s legacy:
“At Santana Motors, we are determined to protect and honor the legacy of Santana. Our vehicles were reliable, robust, and part of the daily life of thousands of people. That legend is still alive — and that’s why we wanted to support this project.”
“De la Metalúrgica a la Leyenda” arrives at a decisive moment for the brand. As Santana Motors completes preparations to resume production at the historic Linares factory, the book recovers the memory of those whose dedication and skill turned Santana into a symbol of Andalusian and Spanish industrial pride.