It is a Volkswagen T-Cross Sport in ‘chillooón yellow’ colour and with a 115 hp 1.0 TSI engine, destined for Sweden. The factory in Navarre was founded in 1965 and since then has gone through three stages: between 1965 and 1975, as Authi; between 1975 and 1983, as SEAT; and since then and to date, as Volkswagen Navarra. It also ended the year 2024 as the fourth largest factory in the world in terms of production volume out of the seventeen factories of the Volkswagen brand, behind only Wolfsburg (Germany), Puebla (Mexico) and Bratislava (Slovakia).
The German manufacturer’s Pamplona factory has witnessed different stages in the history of the automotive industry in Spain. Between 1965 and 1975, the Authi era left its mark with the production of 131,744 vehicles, including iconic models such as the Morris, Mini and Victoria.
From 1975 to 1983, the plant underwent a new phase with the production of 284,225 SEAT cars, where the 124 and Panda became benchmarks, together with limited productions of the Lancia HPE and Beta.
In 1984, Pamplona started production of the Volkswagen Polo, a model that remained on the assembly line until 2 July 2024, when production was transferred to South Africa. Currently, the factory focuses on the production of the Volkswagen T-Cross (from 2018) and the Volkswagen Taigo (from 2021), which will be joined by two new electric models in 2026.
On the other hand, this factory has a clear export vocation, as 90% of the vehicles produced in Pamplona are destined for the international market, with Germany (18%), Italy (16%), Turkey (13%), France (10%) and Spain (10%) being the main destinations.
In this context, the president of Volkswagen Navarra, Michael Hobusch, underlines the relevance of this figure: ‘This number of ten million cars is the result of the work of thousands of colleagues who, with their daily commitment, have made Volkswagen Navarra a benchmark factory, with a high level of cost discipline and lean structures, especially in the reuse of facilities for new models. This teamwork and commitment to quality and productivity over the years also allow us to be optimistic about the electrification process that we are carrying out according to plan’.
A STRONG INDUSTRY READY FOR THE ELECTRIC TRANSITION
The automotive sector in Navarre plays a crucial role in the regional economy, contributing around 25% of industrial GDP, equivalent to 6% of the region’s total GDP. With a business fabric made up of 120 companies and a turnover of 6,500 million euros, this industry generates direct employment for some 13,000 people, representing 4.5% of total employment in the region. It also leads exports in Navarre, accounting for 46% of exported goods, making it the main export engine.
Its dynamism is reflected in the strong presence of first- and second-tier supplier companies, many of them multinationals, which have been able to adapt to the requirements of national and international manufacturers. Thus, more than 65 % of industrial activity is concentrated in the production of components related to transmission, powertrain and vehicle interiors. This growth has been largely driven by Volkswagen Navarra, which leads in terms of both employment and production capacity, with more than 4,600 workers at its Landaben factory.
For its part, the Automotive Cluster of Navarre (ACAN), founded in 2011, brings together most of the companies in the sector and acts as a catalyst for competitiveness. Its aim is to consolidate Navarre as a benchmark region in the automotive sector, fostering cooperation between the different players in the value chain. This initiative strengthens the regional positioning in a key sector for economic and industrial development.
For more information on the important role that the automotive industry plays in the economy of Navarre and the possibilities it offers for attracting new investment and talent to the region, please click on the following link.
Source: diariodenavarra.es