“Born in Portugal”. Volkswagen reinforces “Made in Portugal” label with the new T-Roc – Marketeer
Germany, Italy and France are the main export markets from the TRoc, from Volkswagen of Autoeuropa, from which around 250 vehicles leave each day for the port of Setúbal. «This is a very important model for the brand and it changed the paradigm of the factory [Autoeuropa], which is no longer the home of Sharan to become the home of the T-Roc», said Thomas Hegel Gunther, managing director of Volkswagen Autoeuropa. In addition to these two models, the SEAT Alhambra is also produced in Palmela, at the factory that is equipped with a unique multi-flexible production line, which allows the production of any of these models, in any version.
Volkswagen’s Portuguese factory began operations in 1995, having produced more than 3.34 million units to date. Last year, 210,754 vehicles left, a drop of around 50,000 units compared to 2020 and which mainly reflected the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the automotive sector, namely a semiconductor crisis that has delayed production and that arrived to force some stoppages imposed on the factory last year.
Despite these constraints, Autoeuropa maintains production continuously, but has thousands of units established in two parks next to the factory, waiting for the semiconductor to be finalized and delivered. “As we all know, we are going through a difficult time. Despite everything, Volkswagen maintains the planned production plan”, assured Thomas Hegel Gunther.
Currently, this factory in the district of Setúbal with 5124 employees and the unit accounts for around 5% of national exports and 1.5% of GDP.