Pedro Sánchez discusses with European Automobile Manufacturers Association president and Renault CEO, Luca de Meo, the challenges facing the automotive industry in Spain and Europe

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, receives the President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and the Renault Group CEO, Luca de Meo (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, today held a meeting at Moncloa Palace with the President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and the Renault Group CEO, Luca de Meo, to address the challenges facing the automotive sector in Europe and the improvement of competitiveness. During the meeting, which was also attended by the Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, the Director of the Office of Economic Affairs and G-20, Manuel de la Rocha, and the President of the Spanish Association of Car and Truck Manufacturers (Anfac) and Managing Director of Renault Spain, Josep María Recasens, they analysed the situation of the automotive sector in Europe in areas such as decarbonisation, digitalisation, regulation and training, with the aim of competing in the global market.

The President of the Government highlighted the work carried out by the executive since 2018 to promote the transformation of the automotive industry in Spain and lead the green revolution. In this regard, he referred to the relevance of the plans promoted by the government to encourage the demand for electric vehicles.

For his part, the Renault Group CEO presented the President of the Government with actions to face the challenge of the technological transition of the sector in Spain and Europe, and to gain competitiveness. These include initiatives already underway such as promoting small European vehicles, revolutionising last mile delivery and boosting the potential of hydrogen, an area in which Spain is working intensively. More than half a thousand green hydrogen projects have currently been identified.

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, together with the Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, holds a meeting with the President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and the Renault Group CEO, Luca de Meo | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The executive is making a firm commitment to place Spain at the forefront of Europe in sustainable mobility through public-private collaboration, playing a major part in which is the PERTE for Electric and Connected Vehicles of the Recovery Plan This strategic project involves a public investment of more than €5 billion. The launch of the fourth call for proposals, endowed with €1.25 billion (€250 million in grants and €1 billion in loans), is scheduled for before the end of the year to further boost the electrification of the automotive sector. The government has also mobilised more than €1.5 billion with the calls launched to date for the line of aid for the purchase of electric vehicles and the installation of charging points of the Moves Plan.

Non official translation