Markus Haupt (Anfac y Seat-Cupra): "El automóvil europeo no ha tirado la toalla y está en una contraofensiva"

Markus Haupt, the president of the Spanish manufacturers' association Anfac and Seat-Cupra, asserts that the European automotive industry is not conceding defeat despite the influx of Chinese brands in Europe. The industry has reacted by investing hundreds of millions in developing a new generation of electric cars, Haupt says. However, for European manufacturers to remain competitive, small, medium, and large electric cars need a fair competition framework, Haupt emphasizes.

He also advocates for creating a competitive framework in collaboration with the European Commission. Haupt believes that Spain should become more attractive than its current status as the second European car manufacturer and ninth globally. He emphasizes the need to attract new players to set up in Spain, given the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and the made in Europe concept.

Haupt also supports the possibility of relaxing European CO2 targets if the electric car adoption rate is slower than expected. He believes that the automotive industry shouldn't be penalized financially for slower-than-anticipated electric car adoption. Haupt also highlights Spain's attraction of significant Chinese automotive investments and hopes for continued inflows, which will create jobs and positively impact the national economy.

Regarding the upcoming general elections, Haupt insists that the government that emerges should make clear that the future of the Spanish automotive industry is a national project. He remains open to revising some objectives of the Spain Auto 2030 plan if the new government demands it, provided that incentives for electric car purchases are maintained. Haupt stresses that a continuous support plan for electric cars is necessary, as a discontinuous approach could lead to a slowdown or decline in electric car sales.