"There is free capacity in the industry to accept new challenges immediately"

AutoRevista.- How do you face the presidency of AVIA at a historic time due to the new dimension that the Valencian automotive sector has taken on with two OEMs in the region and with a transition of the value chain towards electric vehicles?

Paco Segura.-  I face it with a lot of responsibility. We are living in a time of very important changes in the sector, to which AVIA has to respond more than ever. In this sense, we must also understand that the horizon of changes that we are going to experience is going to be in an environment of continuous change, and with a great deal of uncertainty. We must also face it with the perspective that many business opportunities will arise and we must be prepared to deal with them.

We have to continue working to be the benchmark for the automotive and mobility sector in the VC and for AVIA to represent the entire mobility value chain, which integrates both automotive sector suppliers and all the companies that are already involved in new models of sustainable mobility, electromobility and new fuels.

AR.- The cluster has extended its scope of action to mobility. What are the expectations for growth, as well as the creation of cooperation and new synergies with companies and entities in this new field?

P.S.- More than growth expectations, what should occupy us is to help our associates to tackle the important changes in the business model that we are encountering along the way. This will inevitably lead us to face the challenge of incorporating all the companies related to mobility that society and industry need to be able to offer a quality service with a future for our members.

What we need to focus on is helping our partners to deal with the important changes in the business model that we are encountering along the way

And from our 20 years of history, we know that cooperation with companies and entities is essential. Hence, through Mobility Innovation Valencia we have forged a stable collaboration with Valencia Startup that allows us to collaborate with emerging companies, we collaborate with the Network of Technological Institutes, with universities, with other automotive and mobility clusters.

AR.- How are you working to ensure that the Community's supplier network continues to increase the attractiveness of the region for new investments? What are the contacts with the Volkswagen Group like and what opportunities can be opened up for Valencian companies with this OEM?

P.S.- Valencian suppliers are very competitive and flexible, and this is a key factor without which new investments cannot be made. They also have a high capacity to manage R&D&I projects, which is an essential factor for the automotive and mobility sectors. It is also important to note that there is a free capacity in the industry to accept new challenges immediately.

From a broader point of view, the VC brings together many factors that make it attractive as an investment hub. From the track record with Ford, which has positioned us and consolidated the value chain in terms of manufacturing capabilities, training and experience in implementing R&D&I projects, to the infrastructures that have been built up over decades in terms of roads, ports and rail networks, energy, large construction companies, industrial estates and, of course, a very important panel of well-established component suppliers. 

We also have a very important structure of technological companies that are very necessary to tackle the fourth industrial revolution in which we are immersed. And as I mentioned earlier, being able to count on partners to address possible new investments such as technology institutes and universities is a key determining factor.

We have a very important structure of technology companies that are very necessary to tackle the fourth industrial revolution in which we are immersed

As for Volkswagen, we are maintaining contacts and we are sure that they will be very satisfied with the high capacities that the VC companies are going to contribute to this great project. What is more, I am convinced that they were one of the fundamental reasons why they decided to establish themselves in our community. I am convinced that the AVIA associates are going to play a very important role in the PowerCo project due to their high capacity and experience.

I am convinced that AVIA's associates will play a very important role in the PowerCo project due to their high capacity and experience

AR.- How can we make the most of the knowledge and experience acquired by the Valencian automotive sector, which has been boosted by AVIA's 20 years of experience?

P-S.- Precisely by opening up our organisation to the entire mobility sector, as AVIA companies have been collaborating and generating projects for 20 years. The automotive sector is one of the most demanding in terms of processes, quality, results, and once you incorporate excellence into your way of working, you incorporate it into all projects. 

AR.- What new possibilities for cooperation are being explored with REDIT, the Valencian Battery Alliance, universities and other entities?

P.S.- AVIA understands that mobility and the automotive industry require collaboration with all related agents. AVIA is already actively collaborating in several projects with REDIT, with Valencia Startup, with Valencian universities, with town councils and associations of municipalities. With REDIT we have also just set up a specific working group for mobility, and with Startup, we are preparing activities that we are going to carry out together, etc. The aim is to generate a collaborative ecosystem where the new mobility is at the centre.

AR.- What are the demands that you are going to pass on to the new Autonomous Government of the Valencian Community?

P.S.- After the assembly we held in May 2023, we had a meeting with all the representatives of the political parties and we asked them, among other demands, to be aware of the high decarbonisation requirements of the sector and we need their help to meet them, the need for the PERTE to help companies, especially SMEs, to digitalise, and support for sustainable mobility in a broad sense, not only electromobility. 

We believe that biofuels and hydrogen will have a long way to go, and we must anticipate and support them. 

It is also important to support innovation in companies so that they remain competitive and can respond to the needs of new vehicles, mobility and the new giga battery factory to be set up in Sagunto. On the other hand, it is important for the new government to keep talks open with large companies and to work prudently and discreetly to ensure that they choose the Valencia region.

Finally, although there would be much more, it is important to adapt training for the new jobs that mobility will require, both through vocational training and in universities, and above all, to update the training of all those people who are already working.

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Interview published in AutoRevista 2.383