The motor industry associations demand that “strategic priority” be given to the sector

“We are at a key moment for the sector, in its transformation towards zero-emission mobility,” says Anfac. “The Ministry of Industry must play a leading role if we want to ensure that Spain continues to be the second largest European vehicle manufacturer when only zero-emission models can be sold in 2035.”

In the new Government formed by Pedro Sánchez, the acting Minister of Industry, Héctor Gómez, has been replaced by Jordi Hereu, a member of the PSC who was mayor of Barcelona between 2006 and 2011.

One of the tasks that you will find on your desk is to articulate the third phase of the Electric and Connected Vehicle Project (VEC), endowed with more than 1,200 million euros. The objective is to enlist the Spanish industry to produce electric vehicles.

“If Spain reinforces its image as a car-friendly country, it will attract the new investments that are needed and for which other countries compete so much,” they say from the manufacturers’ association. To achieve this, they emphasize, it will be key to maintain “our traditional competitive advantages, such as logistics, labor flexibility based on social agreements or human capital; but also with additional measures, such as lowering the cost of electrical energy.

Another association that requests innovation in policies is Faconauto, whose priority is to “rethink fiscal measures linked to the mobility of citizens” – that is, pricing based on how polluting a vehicle is -; The dealers also ask that the operations of the Moves Plan be improved [el actual caduca el 31 de diciembre]; design a park rejuvenation plan together with the entire sector and present a plan to meet the European charging infrastructure objectives.

This last point was echoed by the renters. Juan Luis Barahona, president of Feneval, stated: “It is the only way to move towards progressive electrification, with the reality of our market.”

In addition, they propose that an Electric Vehicle Dissemination Plan be established, an educational mechanism for the population to understand how recharging works and the incentives to purchase zero-emission vehicles, something that they understand acts as a barrier to purchase.

Ganvam, which represents distributors, both official and independent, did not comment on the new Government, but requested last week, during the investiture session, that the Automotive Roundtable be recovered as a mechanism for technical dialogue between the Government, unions and automobile sector.

Thus, the association claims that, for the rejuvenation of the park to be effective, three requirements must be met: “it is more profitable to scrap a car that is more than 10 years old than to sell it as used; that support for young used vehicles be included; and that all propulsion technologies are included.

Regarding Gómez’s departure, Anfac wanted to highlight their gratitude to him “and his entire team for the good work done in recent months, promoting the second and third calls for the Perte VEC and showing understanding of the sector’s concerns.”