The Basque Government and Mercedes-Benz have unveiled a new transformative project for flexible automotive manufacturing, positioning Euskadi as a European pioneer. This initiative will mobilize a public-private investment of 181 million euros over the next three years, aiming to transform the sector towards more adaptable and sustainable production models.
This project, to be implemented at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vitoria-Gasteiz, seeks to enhance the capacity for manufacturing future models, particularly the new Vans line. Approximately 61 million euros will be allocated to R&D and technological development, strengthening the company's agility in responding to market changes and international competition.
Lehendakari Imanol Pradales emphasized that "Euskadi has its own way of doing things, based on proximity, public-private collaboration, and innovation." He added that "the race to make the factory of the future a reality is underway, and Euskadi must fight to be among the best," requiring "more decision-making centers, larger companies, greater technological intensity, and a decarbonized industry that does not lose competitiveness."
Bernd Krottmayer, director of Mercedes-Benz Vitoria, highlighted that the investment is crucial for the plant to remain one of the most competitive within the Mercedes-Benz group, stating that "the flexibility of our facilities and processes is key" for adapting more quickly to market changes.
For his part, the Deputy General of Álava, Ramiro González, praised Mercedes-Benz's seven decades in the territory, noting its impact on "40,000 direct and indirect jobs." He indicated that these investments allow Euskadi to "lead the transformation of the automotive sector in Europe," emphasizing the project's "transformative nature" and the need for "flexibility and technological neutrality" in response to market evolution.
The project will involve 11 Basque companies, nine of them SMEs, and will include participation from agents of the Basque Network of Science, Technology, and Innovation, led by Tecnalia and the ACICAE cluster. The goal is to combine existing industrial and technological capabilities to develop new processes and solutions for the next generation of vehicles.
Within Euskadi's Industry Plan, 18 Transformative Projects are already underway, with 11 led by the public sector and 7 by the private sector. In total, 25 projects are planned, with an initial investment exceeding 860 million euros and the creation of over 3,850 quality jobs.
