Over the last few decades, the automotive industry has acquired a great degree of importance in the economy in Aragon and, currently, it is the primary industrial sector in our Region - employing over 28,000 people and producing around 3.5% of the Gross Value Added. The business range of the automotive sector spans large companies - often subsidiaries of large multi-nationals - whose products are for the final consumer to micro-companies that are almost handicrafts, supplying goods to the next cog on the wheel in the value chain.

This is a large group of companies which, despite the recent turbulent times, have maintained their position as the industry’s driving force in Aragon - with the level of employment remaining virtually stable even in the light of having to brusquely adjust production levels. Through the development of various activities and investments, this group is placing itself very favourably with regard to electric propulsion vehicles - a phenomenon which has appeared as the new paradigm in the automotive sector on a worldwide scale.

It is along this path that the Aragon Automotive Cluster and its associated companies must continue, towards improvement in competitiveness through the development of well-run research and development activities which benefit from the synergy derived from the existing potential for research in our Region into the application of the latest process and product technologies in factories, in the increase in managerial skills amongst the managers and in technical matters amongst the workers and, above all, through the position of this industry as a reference point in terms of productivity, competitiveness and flexibility.

As one of the priorities in its economic and industrial policy, the Government of Aragon believes its is vital to support a business sector that shows itself to be a pivotal structure in the economy in Aragon - with the aim being to guarantee growth in economic and employment terms as well as territorial cohesion in Aragon. Therefore, I wish to reiterate our support for this initiative by the Aragon Automotive Cluster , in the belief that it is a tool for boosting the competitiveness of the companies it comprises and, indirectly, those companies that are yet to join - all of whom form part of the same sector in our Region.

The primary result of all this activity is that the sector is considered a reference point as suppliers for the majority of car manufacturers at the European level, showing that this is a sector that is relevant at a European level that is well regarded by the major companies in the automotive sector at a world level - meaning that, currently, this is the main exporter in our region, with more than half the sales of Aragon to other countries.

I believe that we are at a turning point at which the companies in the Aragon Automotive Cluster must focus their efforts on innovation - both in products and processes - as the best direction down which to head to overcome the difficult times that are upon us and to guarantee a new cycle of expansion that enables the growth of their companies because the success of the Cluster’s partners will mean the success of the economy in Aragon.

Marcelino Iglesias Ricou
PRESIDENT OF ARAGON