At a late-night gathering dubbed the Night of the Economy, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, reaffirmed Ford’s solid commitment to electrifying the Almussafes plant. She noted that this pledge remains intact even after Ford’s decision to step back from certain investments funded by European funds. The minister highlighted the electric vehicle Perte program as a crucial lever for Valencia’s industrial transformation, pointing to the arrival of Volkswagen’s gigafactory in Sagunto as a key milestone. Valencia’s regional government, led by President Ximo Puig, echoed the sentiment, stressing that the battery gigafactory and the Almussafes electrification project will establish the Valencian Community as the hub of electrified mobility in southern Europe.
Reyes Maroto underscored Ford’s determination to invest in the electrification of Almussafes and stressed that the government will back that commitment. She reminded the audience that Ford had, last month, forfeited more than one hundred million euros in rescue funds meant for the Almussafes project, yet she insisted that the company’s Valencia commitment cannot be undone. (Citation: Ministry remarks, Valencia government briefings.)
The head of industry noted that European-funded initiatives will act as powerful accelerators of the Spanish economy. She asserted that the electrified vehicle segment will reshape the automotive value chain, creating ripple effects across suppliers and manufacturers. The minister also underscored the strategic importance of the Sagunt battery gigafactory, linking it to the electrification plans for the Seat and Volkswagen plants in Martorell and Landaben, and warned that this period contains projects that may be challenging but are pivotal for long-term competitiveness. (Citation: Valencia economic development discourse.)
In a parallel note, the Generalitat’s president congratulated Volkswagen and Ford for choosing the Valencian Community as a focal point for growth. Puig emphasized that Almussafes will become Europe’s most competitive factory, thanks to the collaboration and social peace upheld by unions and workers. Regarding the Gigafactory, he stated that it marks a before-and-after moment, predicting that the region will emerge as the mobility hub of Southern Europe. He reminded listeners that such a horizon was unimaginable just a year earlier. (Citation: Regional leadership statements, press conference.)
Reyes Maroto, in her remarks at The Night of the Economy, framed Valencia as a national model of resilience and innovation. She lauded the capacity of Valencian companies to contribute to the general interest and highlighted their drive to innovate. She noted that the past two and a half years had been defined by the pandemic and the war in Europe, yet stressed that the region possesses solid foundations for growth and job creation. The overarching message was one of steadfast leadership, persistent effort, and a shared belief that Valencia can prosper even in trying times. (Citation: Ministerial address and regional economic strategy.)