After months of speculation and trips back and forth to China, the Galician industrial landscape is preparing for a change of considerable proportions. The automotive giant SAIC Motor has given its final yes to GaliciaThis confirms that the province of A Coruña will be home to its first major production venture on EU soil. This is not just a rumor, but a formal request already under consideration by the relevant institutions to transform the region's economic landscape.
This is not just any announcement, but an operation that aims to mobilize around 200 million euros and that It will generate around 2.300 jobs between direct and indirect jobs. The arrival of MG's parent company represents a boost for the Ferrolterra region, which has long sought an economic stimulus to put it back on the map of technological and manufacturing leadership after decades of complicated industrial restructuring.
A distributed infrastructure to maximize logistics
SAIC's strategy is not limited to a single point, but rather branches out to leverage the strengths of different locations. Ferrol's outer port will be the heart The assembly and logistics will be facilitated by the city's direct access to the sea, allowing for the efficient movement of vehicles and components to international markets. Meanwhile, the town of As Pontes will also play a key role, assuming critical storage and distribution functions, thus providing the industrial sector with ample space to expand without being hampered by space constraints.
The distribution of jobs is also fairly well defined, with a thousand direct jobs planned for the port area and just as many indirect ones. They will revitalize the network of local suppliers. of components. In addition, some 300 workers will join the workforce at the complementary facilities in As Pontes, creating a job network that aspires to be the new driving force of the area. This expansion is expected not only to attract capital but also to establish a population in an area that urgently needs long-term projects.
Bypassing tariffs and opting for the European label
One of the main reasons that has driven SAIC to cross half the world to manufacture here has to do with Brussels' trade policy. With tariffs on Chinese electric cars tightening the screws, producing in European territory is the solution A smarter way to maintain competitive dealership prices. By manufacturing in Spain, the MG brand can boast a European pedigree and avoid cost overruns that would otherwise be passed on to the end customer—something the company wants to prevent in order to maintain its sales leadership.
To comply with current regulations and EU incentives, the plant cannot simply be a bolting center for parts brought in from elsewhere. The goal is to achieve a minimum of 70% local manufacturingThis involves integrating component manufacturers already operating within the Galician cluster and fostering the creation of new suppliers. This condition is what truly adds value to the project, as it compels the multinational to establish deep roots in the Spanish industrial ecosystem, ensuring that technological expertise remains within the country.
Project timeline and next steps
Although the news has been welcomed by the business sector, we won't see cars rolling off the assembly lines tomorrow. The plans involve a time horizon starting in 2027 With the start of construction on the facilities, if everything goes smoothly and there are no last-minute bureaucratic hurdles, the first electric and hybrid vehicles are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2028, ready to hit the roads across the continent after passing the necessary quality controls.
To ensure these deadlines are met, the regional government has done its part by declaring the initiative a Strategic Industrial Project. This means that Administrative procedures will be expedited to prevent permits from becoming a bottleneck. Even so, there is still much to be done, as specific authorizations from the Council of Ministers and the corresponding port concessions are needed to occupy the necessary land in the outer port, a process that requires coordination between different political bodies.
With a production capacity aiming for nearly 120.000 units annually, the impact of this factory will be felt far beyond the borders of Galicia. The consolidation of this new industrial hub in the north This will complement the capacity of other Spanish plants and reinforce our country's position as a key player in the energy transition. It's no small feat that a powerhouse like SAIC chooses Spain over other European options, demonstrating that the experience of our workforce remains a highly valued asset beyond our borders.
SAIC Motor's arrival in A Coruña represents a fundamental turning point for the Spanish automotive industry, marking the beginning of an era where local manufacturing becomes the best defense against global trade tensions. This is due to the combination of significant investment, a massive number of jobs, and a commitment to sustainable mobility. It places Ferrol and As Pontes at the epicenter of the European industrial strategy for the coming years. As the project progresses towards its final opening, collaboration between local authorities and businesses will be crucial for this Asian giant to become an engine of growth that benefits all of society.