Lehendakari Imanol Pradales stated this morning that the new 100% electric VLE model from Mercedes-Benz, set to be manufactured at the Vitoria-Gasteiz plant, is "fully aligned" with the European industrial renaissance, strategic autonomy, and the 'made in Europe' approach championed by the Basque Government. In this context, the Lehendakari reiterated his support for the European Commission's Industrial Accelerators Act and advocated for Euskadi to be recognized as a 'European Industrial Acceleration Space'. "Europe's industrial future will also be built from its regions and stateless nations. And Euskadi is prepared to play its part", he emphasized.
Pradales, accompanied by the Minister of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability, Mikel Jauregi, attended the presentation marking the start of production for the new VLE vehicle at the German factory. Through this event, Mercedes-Benz has underscored the industrial and strategic importance of its production center in the capital of Álava, positioning Vitoria-Gasteiz among Mercedes-Benz's most significant European industrial projects. High-ranking representatives from the company were present, including Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG; Thomas Klein, Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans; and Bernd Krottmayer, Director of Mercedes-Benz Vitoria.
The Lehendakari recalled that Euskadi and its companies compete globally in a highly demanding and uncertain environment, "where nothing is given for free," requiring enhanced responsiveness to current challenges. "This does not mean we should close our markets. We do not believe protectionism is the answer. We must compete globally. But European companies cannot be expected to compete while facing structural disadvantages at home", he stated, advocating for Euskadi's role in Europe's industrial future.
Consequently, Imanol Pradales believes that the new model to be manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vitoria-Gasteiz places Euskadi at the core of the German firm's global strategy in the electric vehicle segment, an area where Europe must regain lost ground.
"We will continue to respond to the trust you place in us, and the recognition that comes with it, with the utmost self-demand and ambition", concluded the Lehendakari, also noting that the new manufacturing will bring benefits such as quality job creation, business opportunities for small suppliers, cutting-edge technology, and international positioning for Araba and Euskadi.
