INTERES Invest in Spain

Automotive

Catalonia is the number one Autonomous Community in the automotive industry and a key European location, with three major production plants Seat, Nissan and Irisbus (Iveco) that together account for nearly 40% of total sales of the Spanish automotive industry (Spain is the third largest manufacturer and exporter of vehicles of Europe and the seventh in the World).

The sector generates 10% of the Catalan GDP, 100,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs and presents synergies with other important sectors that manufacture transport equipment and material (railroad, aeronautics, motorcycles, carriages, etc.)

Some 80% of the vehicles and 60% of components made in Catalonia are exported, underscoring the sector's high level of quality and competitiveness. In addition, Catalonia is one of the leading design centres with numerous groups operating in the region: Volkswagen, Nissan, Renault, Volvo, Subaru&

Chemicals

The Spanish chemicals industry is heavily concentrated in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, where some 47.3% of this sector's national output was generated in 2004.

And practically 50% of Spanish chemicals exports originate in Catalonia.

The sector is concentrated in the Tarragona area in southern Catalonia, with a petrochemical complex considered one of the leading chemical industry sites in southern Europe. The Tarragona area alone has some 25% of Spanish chemicals production.