Foment defends Catalan auto industry
The Catalan employers' federation Foment del Treball has publicly backed the continued industrial presence of SEAT in Catalonia, calling on Volkswagen Group to ensure vehicle production remains in Martorell. The statement comes amid uncertainty after SEAT confirmed that its brand future "is still being analysed" and "all options are open". In a Sunday statement, Foment stressed that regardless of any strategic changes to the SEAT brand, the region's industrial future must remain intact. "Catalonia must continue manufacturing cars, incorporating new models and new technologies and generating quality industrial employment," the organisation said.
Focus on production, not just branding
Foment clarified that while it supports the continuation of the SEAT brand, its primary concern is preserving SEAT S.A. as an industrial entity. The group highlighted Martorell's capacity to adopt new platforms from 2029 onward, ensuring ongoing production and job stability.
Martorell is ready for the future
Josep Sánchez Llibre, president of Foment del Treball, affirmed the organisation's "unconditional support" for SEAT and expressed confidence in Martorell’s readiness for future automotive demands. He emphasized that the site’s industrial dimension extends far beyond the brand itself, supporting over 13,000 jobs across Catalonia and sustaining a broad network of suppliers and auxiliary firms.
Economic significance underscored
Foment noted that SEAT’s operations in Martorell, El Prat de Llobregat, and Barcelona form one of the cornerstones of Catalan industry. The federation pointed to recent investments in electrification and transformation efforts by SEAT and Volkswagen as proof of the site’s adaptability to technological shifts. The intervention follows reports that Volkswagen may phase out the SEAT brand by 2029, focusing instead on the Cupra marque. However, Foment insists that the focus should be on maintaining design, development, and manufacturing capabilities within Catalonia, irrespective of branding decisions. Sánchez Llibre reiterated that Martorell has been central to Spain’s industrial identity since 1950 and argued that its relationship with Catalonia is not only historical but foundational for future mobility innovation.
Primary sources: govern.cat, empresa.gencat.cat. Reported by elnacional.cat, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, europesays.com, rtve.es, cronicaglobal.cat, foment.com, elcierredigital.com, Xavier Grau del Cerro, efe.com, seat.ie, latribunadeautomocion.es, seat.com, viaempresa.cat.
