Wayne Griffiths: “You don’t need to invent new measures to support the electric car, just look at what other countries are doing well”

After the meeting, Anfac President Wayne Griffiths said, Exclusive interview with Prensa Ibérica He gave a speech detailing the position that the manufacturer’s association handed over to the Government, as well as the need for the industry to move rapidly towards electrification.

Are you satisfied with the outcome of the meeting?

Yes, we are happy because we had the opportunity to speak directly with the Head of Government and the Ministries of Ecological Transition and Industry. We took a deep dive into the current situation in electrification and that the market level we have is insufficient to move forward. Spain is in the queue for electric vehicles in Europe with only 10% of the market, half of the European average.

HE State Do you understand the needs of the industry?

We agree that this analysis and measures should be taken. The meeting took place at my request from Anfac to discuss the necessary measures to improve and accelerate the situation. Today I am in Valencia and tomorrow we will lay the first stone of a battery factory that will serve two of the group’s factories to manufacture cars in Spain with the SmallBeV platform in the €10,000 Future Fast Forward project. But for all of this to make sense, we need customers. That’s for the next two years, almost tomorrow. The market needs to be accelerated. And my evolution so far has been inadequate.

But do they understand?

Yes, they got it. The president understands. We also talked about industrial issues and my colleague from Sernauto Francisco Riberas was there and also at the invitation of the Government electric vehicle association Aedive. We’re talking about infrastructure, which is very important. The government is taking measures to improve infrastructure and this is positive. We have to start this topic because Spain is behind it. But if you don’t have a car, why do you want infrastructure, like chicken and egg. The priority is to start the market.

How will you do it?

The company has announced some measures, such as making the Moves 3 program more flexible to facilitate electrification of its vehicle fleet and assist dealers with used vehicles (km0). Positive. But since last summer there are more measures we have asked Anfac to take.

You have to stimulate the market. But how?

It’s not enough to just encourage car purchases. With this, we do not reduce the difference that separates us from Europe. The President is open to exploring what can be done about this and said we will hold another meeting in two weeks to work on these measures.

What did the government ask the industry?

As a sector and as an employer in the sector, they want us to do our part in this support. And we are ready to do that. It’s not just making accessible electric cars at affordable prices. We need to explore how we can contribute to these measures. We will identify with them. You don’t need to invent new measures to support the electric car, you don’t need to be very smart, just see what works in other countries.

How can it be developed?

There are funds, but we need to speed up the management of these funds. We also discuss the need for upfront financing for the user at the dealer and manufacturer level. The management and management process takes a long time. In this sense, we will support. Finally, if we want to move forward, we must implement measures that work equally at the national level. Financial measures such as immediate assistance to the end customer without comments and regional administrations. Do it at the state level.

Are we on time?

There is nothing left. We cannot waste another year debating whether further action is needed. The government is clear. You have to find solutions to improve. We are late. But this is simply not possible. A roadmap towards zero emissions needs to be maintained. There is no other alternative. The challenges of climate change are real. We want to be part of the solution. It’s not part of the problem.

Don’t you think we’re going to make fools of ourselves about Perte?

This was the first time a project of this size was managed. I think that the support given to the sector in Europe is positive. There will be more flexible proposals to transform the industry. But what cannot be done is to repeat the first Perte experience.

Have you discussed the issue of Euro 7 regulations?

I conveyed my concern to the industry. If Euro7 starts now as planned, it will be an industrial-level blow to Spain. Small cars are produced here and the standard will have a direct impact on this type of vehicle. If it is not investigated, production will be temporarily stopped, factories will be closed. Currently, the measure will indirectly affect 1.6 million vehicles, 40,000 jobs and 300,000 workers. It will have an impact at the employment level. It’s a risk to the industry because it will force us to invest in legacy technology. Demand would fall and the park would not be modernized. We are not against Euro 7 or the industry, but have asked the Government to support the stance of other European countries on this issue. We must seek a more pragmatic situation.

Does the government understand?

The Prime Minister takes it very seriously.

The whole government?

Yes, the Head of Government is taking it seriously because this is a very serious issue for Spain.

Therefore, the Government not only heard them, but also listened.

Today they heard us and listened to us. The government wants to listen to us. Now we have to find the measure together, not to pass each other. Measures should be used for 2024 and 2025, longer term ones have already been determined but we must start now.

are you optimistic

I’m optimistic. Despite the difficulties, what was done with Perte in Spain is very important and something that should be evaluated positively. Yes, it should have been done faster, but the important thing is that it was done. We will not repeat Chapter 1, more than 2,000 million distributions will be more flexible for both manufacturers and the value chain. There has been no other project at this level in Europe.