Last week, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the CEO of Volkswagen Group, Oliver Blume, held a meeting in Madrid to talk about the role of our country in the automotive sector during the decade that is to come. Both bosses shared their points of view and concerns about the public-private investment plan which, as the National Executive assures, will help several Spanish territories to become a industrial reference in electric mobility on a continental and global scale.
During the gathering, in which the SEAT SA CEO, Wayne Griffithsas well as a Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, were treated with special interest details of the "Future: Fast Forward" program promoted by Volkswagen. Said investment project, based on the creation of strategic models and infrastructures that guarantee its leadership in the medium term, is provided with 10.000 millones de euros.
The German multinational will provide that large amount of money through some of its companies, such as PowerCo or its own SEAT, and a total of 49 partners. The operations carried out in Spain will be widely supported by the subsidies from the PERTE VEC (Strategic Projects for the Recovery and Economic Transformation of the Electric and Connected Vehicle) which, in turn, provide for the aid measures of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (public funds).
After their brief meeting, Blume has positively valued the commitment of the central government, as well as the regional ones of Catalonia, Valencia and Navarra (where Volkswagen has or will have important economic interests), with the car industry. In the same way, he has also emphasized the need to work hand in hand with these organizations in the implementation of the electric vehicle and in the development of a charging network enough to meet the needs of its users.
"We are prepared to make Spain a European “hub” for electric mobility. Our investment plan will generate a sustainable growth here. According to our estimates, it will contribute to reduce CO2 emissions in 2 million tons per year already boost the country's economy in more than 21.000 million euros. In addition, we will contribute to creating and ensuring more than 145.000 jobs with a positive impact of more than 2.400 million euros in taxes and social security contributions”, declared the CEO.
Blume has also explicitly requested Sánchez a more lax, balanced and competitive policy in relation to the new emissions regulations, both at state and community (European) level. Nor has he forgotten to mention his interest in the Old Continent continuing in its line of remaining independent in energy matters and achieving autonomy with the supply of certain specific components like microchips.
Source - SEAT