“Portugal must assert itself with car manufacturers” – ECO
The automotive industry represents 7.4% of the Portuguese GDP and has 90 thousand workers. The environmental transition, however, can create inconvenience to this cluster.
On the 5th and 6th of September, the future of the automotive industry will be debated at a conference to fight for Mobinov. One that brings together car factories, parts and commerce is with the result of the digital and demographic energy transition and does not want Portugal to be left behind.
In an interview with ECO, the president of Mobinov asks the State to help companies to capture new investments For the country. Jorge Rosa also stressed the need to nurture a sector that directly employs 90,000 people, represents 7.4% of GDP and generates an annual turnover of 15 billion euros, “of which 99% are exported”.
He said recently that “in the short and medium term we will have the sector that the State would allow us”. he thinks that the set car is treated well in Portugal?
In a general way, the automotive sector feared a lot of attention from the government english and has been heard whenever he asks. Of course, the sector wanted more: it needs to scale and another dynamic. That, of course, requires state and government support. That’s why we are always more attentive.
What automatic and risk-free sector with financial support from the state support? What would be the main differences?
The challenges aheadwith an energy, digital, environmental and demographic transition, in addition to the need to have people in quality and in quantity are huge and demand very special attention from the State. Our sector needs this support.
In addition to financial support, which is very important in several areas, I would say that there is the promotion of the sector to the outside world and to the main car manufacturers. Here, too, the role of the State is very important. Portugal has to assert itself with car manufacturers and it has to be part of the brands’ supply strategies, which today are compensating the entire value chain in the face of the problems that a rupture brought to the sector. Portugal can see in this, in our opinion, a great opportunity, being in Europe, being a country relatively close to the center of the continent and being close to the second European car manufacturer (Spain). The declaration – abroad involves a lot of companies that have to present themselves to the manufacturers – but it also lacks the support of the State.
This is, for example, what has already been done this year, at the Hannover industry fair, where the Portuguese government made a clear demonstration of support for the sector. These types of actions and even more muscular ones can promote our industry abroad in order to gain scale within.
Portugal has to assert itself with car manufacturers and has to be part of the supply strategies of brands, which today are compensating for the entire chain of problems that a recent break from the war brought to the sector.
Has Portugal’s presence at the Hannover Messe already had an effect?
The reactions we got from the participating companies were very satisfying, because they were very informed. But we still don’t have concrete data, at this point, of deals already closed.
Car transport is also always a new factory in the sector. and there the Government has a fundamental role in the construction of new investments. However, installed capacity in Europe is greater than demand. These are considerations that manufacturers take into account.
The investment cycle is also important to us: Batteries are a fundamental component and will be decisive for the future of the automotive industry in the short term. Having the cell development factor installed, the discussion felt about the cycle – and it would be an important extraction possibility – and being able to produce or in Portugal to provide a new area with strengths like the cycle and we will have to deal.
We are approaching the end of 2022 and there are still no plans for mass production of an electric car in Portugal. Are we not in danger of falling behind in the automotive industry?
The risk exists. No set we do not have information on each of the car factories in Portugal but we know that They are working towards all electric models in Portugal and I believe that’s what will happen. Each of the installed plants will have an electrical solution in the very short term, there is no doubt about that, although they do not have the projected capacity.
In the transition of the automobile industry, are there conditions to create new jobs or is the priority to keep the ones that already exist?
The main obligation is to support but our desire is to grow. Bearing around 8% of Portugal’s GDP would be very important.
Batteries are a fundamental component and will be decisive for the future of the automotive industry in the short term. With the cell development factor installed, the discussion felt about the cycle – and it would be an important extraction possibility – and being able to produce or in Portugal to provide a new area with strengths such as the cycle and we will have to deal
Is it possible to hold jobs when new cars have fewer parts to produce?
It’s true but there are other opportunities. But a vehicle will always have tyres, chassis, stamped parts, upholstery… we are all naturally concerned, but transition moments are both risk and opportunity. We have to know how to seize opportunities and I’m sure we’re working in that direction.
What will be the role of the automobile in the future of society, considering, for example, how society does not have access to cities?
Automobile, with an important share in the emission of greenhouse gases, is always a target. The attempt to reduce the number of cars is on the minds of all who manage large cities. Of course there is a risk of reduced volumes [de produção] because mobility in cities will increasingly be done by public transport. But there are still no studies that show a massive reduction in the number of cars in cities. Next, the main reduction in the number of cars will be in Europe.
Could the vehicle be used in the cars purchased, reusing the current fleet?
There are studies in this direction and there are technical possibilities, although there is still not much maturity. Hydrogen, as a fuel, is ideal for long-distance transport. and will be the next pass to the tram.
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