The president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has positively assessed that Ferrol (A Coruña) will be the headquarters of the SAIC Motor plant, the main Chinese producer of electric vehicles, considering that it represents "an economic opportunity" for the entire region. At the same time, he emphasized that it is the Executive of Pedro Sánchez, to whom "the security" of Spain corresponds, who has "sufficient arguments to facilitate and authorize that location."
"I believe that it is excellent news for the Ferrolterra region to have the opportunity for a car factory. From what I have seen, it is an economic opportunity that we cannot let pass," declared Feijóo, who stressed that it is "evident" that he cannot "comment on files" that he does not know or in which he has participated.
The popular leader, who presided over the Xunta for more than 13 years, pointed out that the choice of Galicia to install this Chinese plant is a matter that the current head of the Galician Government has been continuously addressing with the central Executive. "I understand that the Government of Spain, which is responsible for the security of our country, has sufficient arguments to facilitate and authorize that location in that place. But I have no more information," said the PP leader in an interview granted to Europa Press a few days ago in Santiago de Compostela.
Proximity to Navantia and the naval base
At the beginning of August, reports from the Ministry of Defense and intelligence services warned of a possible risk of espionage due to the proximity between the planned site for the factory and the military arsenal of Ferrol, as well as the Navantia shipyard, where work is done with U.S. military systems.
Feijóo has applauded that Ferrol has finally been chosen as the location for this industrial project. "What is clear is that for Ferrolterra, which has still very significant unemployment rates, which has a very important lack of industrialization problem, it is an opportunity that should not be missed under any circumstances," he concluded.
The future SAIC Motor plant, participated by the Chinese Government and owner of brands like MG, contemplates an initial investment of 200 million euros. The start of construction is scheduled for 2027, and the installation will begin operating before the end of 2028. The project anticipates the creation of 2,300 jobs and a production capacity of 120,000 vehicles annually.
The project receives the green light from Defense
The plan for the plant of the Chinese giant SAIC Motor in Ferrol will have the favorable endorsement of the Ministry of Defense, according to what Minister Margarita Robles conveyed on August 11 to the president of the Xunta, Alfonso Rueda, according to sources from the regional government cited by Europa Press.
SAIC, owner of the MG brand, indicated shortly after that the start-up of its electric vehicle factory in Ferrol will be carried out "safeguarding entirely" the national security of Spain, while showing its respect for the analysis of all determining factors for its implementation.
"The project of the SAIC factory in Spanish territory is of utmost importance for the area and for the country, and from SAIC we understand that all relevant factors for its implementation should be evaluated, including not only the economic but also the industrial, job creation, and national security considerations," according to sources from SAIC conveyed to Europa Press.