'Gas bill has climbed from €300,000 to €1.5m': businesses struggle with rising energy costs
Experts estimate that electricity may be even more expensive this summer, a season with little rain or wind in Catalonia
automotive
Punch presents €1bn plan to make 75,600 vehicles at Nissan site by 2030
Belgian group, one of several bidders, say they will create 2,000 jobs and use all three existing plants
Briton Wayne Griffiths named new Seat president
Former head of sales has ambitions to make electric vehicle in Catalonia
Nissan resumes production in Barcelona's Zona Franca after four-month shutdown
Workers strike ends after agreement over factory closures
Catalan government asks Nissan to 'reconsider' closure of plants
President Torra says he and Spanish president are committed to addressing situation together
Will Barcelona return to pre-Covid pollution levels?
Environmentalists want cars kept off streets but automotive industry stresses alternative solutions
Automotive industry suffers worst month for new registrations in 20 years
Nissan factory staff begin indefinite strike to protest lack of clarity over future
As Brexit approaches, Catalan exports to UK reached €3.9bn
Sales from Catalonia to Britain 9% higher so far in 2019 compared with same period last year
SEAT ends year with ‘record’ sale of over 517k vehicles
Sales from 2018 grew by some 10.5% compared to the year before
Denso Barcelona forecasts €380m sales in 2018
The multinational dedicated 70 million euros in investments in the last 4 years, and foresees arriving at 1,000 workers by the year 2020
SEAT has its first profitable year since 2008, earning €6 million in 2015
After eight years of losses, SEAT has pulled itself out of the red, earning €6 million in profits after taxes in 2015. This marks an end of a period of struggle with a record turnover of 8,332 million (up 11 percent on 2014), stated SEAT CEO Luca de Meo. He also hopes that the success in 2015 will help the company maintain its momentum as it pushes into 2016 with the manufacture of a new SUV vehicle as well as the release of three other car models over the next 18 months. Although the company has faced significant challenges in the face of a recovering auto industry, SEAT has seen increasing demand from southern Europe in Italy and Spain, as well as in Germany, where the company made 90,000 of their 400,000 car sales in 2015.
Barcelona International Motor Show 2015 to host at least 38 international brands, 17 more than in 2013
The 38th edition of the Barcelona International Motor Show (SIAB) will be held between 9 and 17 May at the Montjuïc venue of the Catalan capital's trade fair. This year, the event will host at least 38 brands and others could be added in the following weeks. This is the biggest number since the economic crisis started. According to Mario Armero, ANFAC Executive Vice President, "the show coincides with a clear recovery of the sector, where 2-digit growth rates have been registered in sales, production and exports volumes". Organised by Fira de Barcelona, SIAB is the only motor show in Spain recognised by the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. The coming edition will also coincide with the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, transforming the Catalan city into the world's motor capital for a few days.
Motorcycle manufacturer Gas Gas ceases production after creditors meeting
Gas Gas, a motorcycle manufacturer from Girona Province, has ceased production after a creditors meeting at the Mercantile Court. The company says it has to interrupt the production chain due to difficulties in restructuring a €20 million debt. Gas Gas confirms that, after seven months of failed negotiations with banks in order to restructure the debt and get additional funds, last week it seemed that progress was being made in the hope of reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, the Catalan company has filed a pre-bankruptcy request and has ceased production, but they hope to reach an agreement soon and get back to business once again.