Sunsundegui has ceased operations: company’s insolvency leads to liquidation and +300 job losses
The Sunsundegui insolvency process, initiated in September 2024, has culminated in the liquidation of the Spanish bus bodybuilder. Based in Alsasua, Navarra, Sunsundegui had been a major player in the coachbuilding industry since 1956. However, by May 2025, the company ceased operations, resulting in the collective dismissal of some 340 employees and the end of […]
The Sunsundegui insolvency process, initiated in September 2024, has culminated in the liquidation of the Spanish bus bodybuilder. Based in Alsasua, Navarra, Sunsundegui had been a major player in the coachbuilding industry since 1956. However, by May 2025, the company ceased operations, resulting in the collective dismissal of some 340 employees and the end of its bus production activities.
Sunsundegui insolvency driven by financial imbalance
The insolvency of Sunsundegui was primarily driven by a severe financial imbalance, as mentioned in local reporting. At the time of filing for insolvency, the company faced debts totaling €48.8 million—€8.9 million owed to suppliers and €39.9 million to financial institutions. While Sunsundegui had a reported order backlog of 530 buses for 2025, this was not enough to offset structural issues.
According to the insolvency administrator, the company suffered from a lack of liquidity, organisational inefficiencies, and technical limitations. These challenges made it impossible to meet production demands profitably.
A key setback in the Sunsundegui insolvency proceedings was the collapse of investment talks with Belgium-based Dumarey Group, which ultimately decided not to submit a formal offer. Compounding the situation was Volvo’s decision to cancel a planned manufacturing partnership involving the 9700 and 9900 coach series (that was established in 2023). The cooperation was deemed too complex and costly, leading Volvo to relocate production of its coach range (just 9700) in Mexico.
In May 2025, the Mercantile Court No. 1 of Pamplona approved the collective dismissal of 320 Sunsundegui employees, retroactively effective from 16 May. Another 18 staff members were temporarily retained to support asset liquidation and maintain minimal services. The court cited the lack of viable business continuity, insufficient revenues, and ongoing losses as reasons for approving the request from the insolvency administrator.
