Pedro Sánchez, H.M. King Felipe VI and Spanish Prime Minister, recently visited the SEAT S.A. Martorell headquarters to commemorate the company’s 70th anniversary. During the visit, the Volkswagen Group, SEAT S.A. and the Spanish Government underlined their common vision of the sustainable transformation of the automotive industry.
The Volkswagen Group and SEAT S.A. are planning to collaborate on transforming the industrial infrastructure for electric mobility and accelerate the economic recovery of the country. The development of an e-mobility ecosystem, a project that will be led by the Volkswagen Group and SEAT S.A., will collaborate with key organisations from the energy (Iberdrola), telecommunications (Telefónica), financial (CaixaBank), technology (Asti) and automotive (Gestamp or Antolín) sectors.
With the second-largest automotive production industry in Europe, Spain has a large responsibility in reaching the targets of the European Green Deal by 2030. Crucial to that acceleration is the creation of the electric vehicle ecosystem, stimulating demand and developing public recharging infrastructure.
The future common vision also includes the local production of small electric vehicles in the Martorell factory. Plus, the local production of battery cells and battery modules. This is great news for the Spanish economy and a cleaner more sustainable future.
Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, and chairman of the board of directors of SEAT S.A., said: “Spain can evolve into an e-mobility centre of Europe. We share the Spanish Government’s vision, the transformation of the automotive industry.
“The modernisation of industrial structures and the creation of future-proof jobs can serve as a powerful blueprint for the whole region. We hope that the EU Commission has the political willingness to let this flagship project with historic importance for Spain become reality.
Wayne Griffiths, President of SEAT S.A., said: “70 years ago, we put this country on wheels. Our aim, now, is to put Spain on electric wheels. For this to be a reality, all parties agreed, that Spain needs to develop and ensure a wider recharging infrastructure throughout the territory and stimulate demand by incentives. Spain should jump on the electrification train.”
