Yesterday, Seat called on the Government to speed up the resolution of the allegations of the Perte of the electric vehicle because “the largest industrial investment in the history of Spain” depends on it, that is, the Sagunt battery plant and the manufacture of electric vehicles in Martorell and in VW Navarra. “We hope that the final resolution of the Perte will arrive soon and allow the projects to become a reality,” said Alfonso Sancha, vice president of purchases at Seat and head of the Future Fast Forward project, with which the company plans to lead the electrification of the sector in Spain. .
Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, replied that the Perte (strategic plan for economic recovery and transformation) has been a “brave” bet. “I am convinced that the dream will come true. If we had not done so, in ten years the plants would not be in a position to compete in the world,” she added.
At the closing of the meeting on mobility, organized by the digital publication Coche Global and the consulting firm Metys, the minister rejected the controversy that has arisen around Perte. And it is that according to the provisional liquidation, which is now being reviewed and after the withdrawal of Ford, only 20% of the planned nearly 3,000 million has been awarded.
Maroto also highlighted the plans to mobilize investments to develop an ecosystem related to semiconductors, without giving up its own plant, although he admitted that this is a European project in which Spain is willing to “add”. According to a survey released at the forum, 70.8% of Spanish companies have suffered a negative impact due to the shortage of chips, while another 61.8% have suffered the effects of the war in Ukraine.
The job cuts implied by electrification, changes in mobility and traffic restrictions in large cities focused much of the debate. “How are we going to protect Seat if Colau does not let cars circulate in Barcelona?”, emphasized Jaume Roura, president of the Fecavem dealer association. “The sector does not stop receiving sticks, when what it needs is to be recognized for its contribution and raise its self-esteem,” added José Antonio Bueno, from Metys.
“I do support the automobile and mobility industry,” replied Jaume Collboni, first deputy mayor, in a gesture of unchecking the mayor. According to Collboni, Barcelona is the first city in Spain to have public recharging points for electric cars, with 703, a figure that is expected to rise to 3,300.
The Minister of Business, Roger Torrent, assured that for the Government “it is a priority to accompany the transition to the automotive sector and offer support for the capture of industrial opportunities linked to it”.
