The automotive industry is being reshaped by electrification, digitalisation, regulatory demands, geopolitical uncertainty and intensifying global competition, Markus Haupt writes. In an article published in the 2026 Mobility+Auto Barometer magazine, he argues that adapting to these changes is now essential for companies to succeed.
Haupt points to the sector’s importance to Spain, where automotive accounts for close to 11% of GDP, employs more than two million people and exports over 85% of its vehicles. He says preserving the country’s industrial competitiveness is important both for Spain and for Europe’s industrial position.
The Barometer found that 44.9% of automotive and mobility companies in Spain expect the industry to develop positively in 2026, while 71% anticipate further revenue growth. More than half of the companies surveyed, 53.8%, are already investing in electric vehicles, according to the report.
For SEAT & CUPRA, Haupt says years of transformation have created a stronger, more flexible industrial base. The company aims to reinforce its role within the Volkswagen Group and contribute to the sector’s transition in Europe from Spain. The arrival of the CUPRA Raval marks a new phase for the Martorell plant, which is prepared for flexible production as market demand changes.
Haupt describes CUPRA as one of Europe’s fastest-growing automotive brands and says it will remain a key driver of growth and value creation. By 2030, the company plans to build on the brand’s potential through continued range renewal and further international expansion.
He adds that the industry has no single roadmap for the decade ahead, as regulation, geopolitics, technology and market conditions continue to evolve. SEAT & CUPRA, he says, is approaching this period with a strong industrial focus and sees transformation as an opportunity to support growth and innovation in European automotive.
Sources: elDiario.es.