The minister assures that the German manufacturer’s plant in Navarra is “a great asset” and “competitive”
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The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, called this Wednesday for “serenity” and “tranquility” in the face of the threat of the closure of Volkswagen group plants in Germany and stressed that the German manufacturer’s plant in Navarra is “a great asset” and “competitive”.
“In Navarra we have a great asset, because it is a competitive plant, because we are investing in its transformation and because new models of electric mobility are being commissioned. I would appeal to serenity, to tranquility, because we are investing to lay the foundations that ensure the present and future of Landaben,” the minister responded in the Congress of Deputies when asked by the EH Bildu deputy, Isabel Pozueta, about it in the Government control session.
Pozueta recalled that the German automobile giant is considering closing three of its plants in Germany and laying off thousands of workers due to low demand for its models, especially electric ones, and a drop in its business in China.
“As you know, the automotive sector represents around 30% of Navarra’s GDP, with 13,000 jobs in the Volkswagen factory in Landaben and 120 more auxiliary companies. This translates into 5.5% of all employment in “Our territory depends on the automobile industry, compared to 1.1% of the State,” said the deputy.
However, Hereu has reiterated his call “for tranquility” given that the Government has made investments for the transformation of the automobile industry, especially through strategic projects for economic recovery and transformation focused on electric and connected vehicles (Perte VEC).
“We have invested more than 88 million in Navarra, through the Pertes. Certainly, Landaben is Volkswagen’s fourth largest plant. More than 4,600 workers work. I think we are taking the route we have to take. If mobility has to To move towards sustainable mobility, basically electric and connected, we are investing in guaranteeing these production lines that are being transformed,” stated the minister.
Likewise, Hereu recalled the investment that the same German group has made in Spain for the transition towards electromobility of 1,000 million euros for the creation of a platform to develop electric vehicles in Spain.
Even so, Pozueta has insisted that there be more collaboration between State institutions to “foresee and not regret” a situation that puts jobs and the productive fabric in Navarra at risk.
“We appreciate that you are going to pay attention to this situation. And we recognize that it is not solely in your hands. But we ask that your Government work in a joint framework with the Navarrese institutions, with the workers of the plant and the companies in the sector …To do everything possible so that these conditions do not have a negative impact in Navarra,” commented the EH Bildu deputy.
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