Spain ranks third in Europe and seventh in the world as an automobile manufacturer and exporter. In light of this background, Catalonia is a leader in the automobile industry and one of Europe's key locations with three large car manufacturing plants¾Seat, Nissan and Irisbus (Iveco)¾accounting for almost 40% of Spain's total sales in the automobile industry. Catalonia exports 80% of the vehicles and 60% of the components it manufactures, which is an indication of its prestige in terms of quality and competitiveness.
The sector accounts for 10% of Catalonia's GDP, it provides jobs for 100,000 people in the sector and a further 100,000 in dependent sectors; it likewise works in synergy with other major manufacturing firms in the transport sector (railway, aeronautics, motorcycles, bodywork, etc.).
Innovation is one of the keys to success in the automobile sector. And Catalonia is increasingly becoming one of Europe's major design centres in the sector.
| Company | Centre |
 | European design centre for the new Audi Brand Group, including SEAT, Audi and Lamborghini brands |
 | FIAT has entrusted the design of its lst car to designers located in Barcelona |
 | Technical centre for commercial and industrial vehicles |
 | First design centre outside France |
 | Fisrt design centre outside Sweden |
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Updated 17/12/2007
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