Crisis in the Spanish automotive industry: manufacturers call for regulations supporting electrification

The Spanish vehicle manufacturers' association Anfac and the organization Aedive are sounding the alarm about the future of transport in Europe. During a meeting at the headquarters of Iberdrola, the president of Anfac, Josep Maria Recasens, stated bluntly that Europe is "losing the match" to global competitors. The main problem is the lack of a coherent policy to protect the domestic industry from the expansion of manufacturers from China. Although data for 2025 is encouraging – sales of fully electric cars already account for 9% of the market, and the number of charging points has exceeded 50,000 – the industry is demanding greater regulatory certainty. Spain is the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe after Germany. The transformation of this sector is crucial for the country's GDP, which for decades has based its industrial strength on the assembly plants of major corporations such as Seat, Ford, and Stellantis. The sector is struggling with delays in implementing financial support systems. Alberto Ruiz Rodriguez from the Ministry of Industry announced that funds from the new Auto+ plan will only be available in May or June 2026. This delay is criticized by managers who point out that consumers need immediate incentives, not declarations about the retroactivity of regulations. Simultaneously, José López-Tafall emphasizes the necessity of electrifying heavy transport, which accounts for most freight transport in the country. Spain is also trying to position itself as a European foothold for Chinese investments, hoping for the construction of new battery and vehicle factories. „Europe is defenseless against its rivals and is selling fewer and fewer cars.” — Josep Maria Recasens Growth in electric car sales: 48, market share of electric cars: 20.8, share of fully electric cars: 9 50,000 — electric vehicle charging points are already operational in SpainAt the same time, tension is growing around the alleged ineffectiveness of electric vehicles. Industry representatives are fighting myths about fires and lack of infrastructure, pointing to hard statistical data. A key demand is the creation of a "level playing field" where European environmental standards do not become an insurmountable barrier for local companies while simultaneously opening the market to subsidized competition from outside the continent. Emphasizes the need for ecological transformation and state subsidies as an essential engine of change for a modern economy. | Points to excessive bureaucracy from Brussels and the risk of destroying traditional industry by the imposed pace of electrification.