After learning of the acceptance of the Perte aid by SEAT-Volkswagen, the president of the Generalitat Valenciana Ximo Puig made it clear this afternoon that there was always "absolute confidence" in the project's opportunities, and that the acceptance of the aid “Remove any doubts. At no time have we doubted that we would carry out this investment”, he pointed out from the Palau de la Generalitat.
However, and after admitting having lived through "complex, difficult" weeks after the multinational raised its doubts on October 20 about the acceptance of the assignment made by the Ministry of Industry, the head of the Consell has indicated that "the gigafactory stands in a showcase that represents the largest industrial investment in the last 50 years” that will turn the Valencian Community into “the pole of sustainable mobility in southern Europe, thanks to SEAT-Volkswagen and also to Ford”.
He has also cited the other automobile giant established in the Valencian territory to refer to the regional aid that the Sagunt gigafactory could receive. Although he has clarified that "at the moment there is no increase", he has admitted that "there will be additional aid that will be complemented in the coming days".
The amount, however, will be "a game similar to what Ford has had in democratic times," Puig pointed out. And a fact: Ford has received more than 100 million euros in aid from the Generalitat Valenciana in the last ten years.
The president also explained this midday that tomorrow, Thursday, the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) will publish the strategic territorial project (PTE) to strengthen the implementation of the Sagunt gigafactory.
The Valencian government moves in this way after the Seat-Volkswagen announcement, although President Puig insists that "at no time has he stopped working, holding bilateral meetings on this issue."
The publication of the PTE -which "does not commit economic aid", he has clarified- will serve to speed up the deadlines. These will be, as confirmed, the same ones that the company already publicly advanced during the presentation of the project, in May 2022.
At that time, the directors of SEAT-Volkswagen explained that the installation will begin to be built in the first quarter of 2023, in 2024 the installation of the equipment will begin, in 2025 it is expected to start the production of the first samples manufactured in the serial media and, already in the year 2026 the plant would be operational.
