As usual, the representatives of the automotive sector have taken stock of the current situation with the latest official data. The reports from ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, and ANFAC, the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers, are particularly noteworthy.
According to data released by ACEA in 2021, a total of 79.1 million vehicles were manufactured worldwide, of which 12.1 million were manufactured in Europe and 2.1 million in Spain.
Castilla-La Mancha has an important industrial structure dedicated to the production of components, parts, bodywork and accessories for motor vehicles, as well as the transformation of vehicles. The total exports of CNAE 29 in the Castilla-La Mancha region were 286 M€ in the year 2021.
Main companies of the sector located in Castilla-La Mancha
Sources: Alimarket, Company websites, press
In 2021, a total of 11.6 million vehicles were registered in Europe and 1.04 million in Spain. These figures led to an export value for the sector in Spain of 34,219 M€ and a trade balance surplus of 19,984 M€. The sector’s contribution to Spanish GDP was 7.7% direct and 10% indirect. The automotive sector generates 6.6% of direct and indirect jobs in Europe, while in Spain this rises to 9%.
All of this makes up the framework of an ecosystem of vehicle factories, components and supply industry throughout the national territory that places Spain as a very relevant country within the sector. Spanish position in the ranking:
Source: ANFAC. Proyecto “Automoción 2020 – 40”. Date of reference: 17/05/2023
The automotive sector is going through a period of major changes in terms of environmental sustainability and safety. Electromobility and the emergence of new energy carriers such as hydrogen and biofuels are accelerating the transition to other types of alternative powertrains.
The European Union has set itself the goal of reaching 55% decarbonisation by 2030 and attempting to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. New regulations such as the forthcoming European regulation for the reduction of pollutant emissions from combustion engine vehicles (Euro VII) or initiatives aimed at the electrification of the vehicle fleet and its infrastructures are just some of the examples that are gradually putting into practice.
Such major changes bring with them a number of challenges. The European Union has launched the PERTE VEC. The aim of the PERTE VEC is to drive the transformation of the automotive sector in Spain towards electric and connected mobility, promoting investment, innovation and job creation in this field. The PERTE VEC expects a total investment from 2021 to 2023 of approximately 24,000 M€.
In the automotive sector, Castilla-La Mancha offers a particularly wide range of investment opportunities. The region of Castilla-La Mancha has a first-class network of infrastructures and communication networks, widely recognised by many sectors, as well as the main logistics operators. The transport, distribution and renewable energy generation infrastructure drives energy carriers such as hydrogen and biofuels, which are vital for the reconversion of the automotive sector.
The University of Castilla-La Mancha with more than 30,000 university students enrolled and the network of Vocational Training centres with another 40,000 students enrolled provide talent to companies.
The business climate in the region is very positive, with Castilla-La Mancha being the first Spanish region in the business confidence index.
