The new battery assembly plant in Martorell It has become the most visible symbol of the electric transformation of Seat and the Volkswagen Group in Spain. The facility, located within the Baix Llobregat industrial complex, is envisioned as a key element for the country to gain a stronger foothold in the electric vehicle value chain in Europe.
With this launch, the Catalan factory gives a definitive leap towards the production of 100% electric vehicles and it is consolidating its position as one of the German consortium's strategic plants. Executives, institutional representatives, and unions agree that it is not just a capacity expansion, but a long-term industrial commitment that aims to "democratize" electric mobility in the European market.
A record investment to transform Martorell
The new plant, known internally as 20 WorkshopThis is part of the Volkswagen Group's ambitious electrification plan in Spain, valued at 10.000 millones de eurosOf that figure, around 3.000 billion have been allocated to Martorell to adapt the production lines, modernize processes and set up this specific battery assembly facility.
The construction of Workshop 20 alone has involved a direct investment of 300 millones de euros and it has been completed in just over two years, a relatively tight timeframe for a plant of this size. During this time, the company estimates that it has generated more than 400 direct jobs and more than 100 indirect jobs the positions linked to the new unit, many of them connected to high-precision robotic processes already advanced engineering and maintenance tasks, including electromagnetic compatibility tests.
Seat frames this project within its participation in the PERTE VEC and other public support lines, with more than 90 million euros in aid originating from various state funding programs. The company and the government agree in presenting the plant as an example of public-private collaboration to ensure that the transition to electric vehicles is based on industrial development within Spain.
In parallel, Martorell has been adapting its bodywork, paint and assembly workshops to be able to manufacture both combustion and hybrid models as well fully electric vehiclesOnce the transformation is complete, the factory aims for a maximum capacity of 600.000 vehicles per year, of which up to half could be electric in the medium term.
Capacity: one battery every 45 seconds
The assembly plant occupies a area of 64.000 square metersThe area, equivalent to several football fields, is located within the Martorell complex itself. There, the battery cells are received, assembled into complete packs, and prepared for installation in vehicles coming off the adjacent production lines.
The level of automation is high: the installation is sized to produce a battery system every 45 secondsTranslated into annual volume, that means 1.200 packs per day and to 300.000 battery systems per year when it's working at full capacity with three shiftsThe forecast is to reach around 500 workers Associated with this workshop, including direct and indirect personnel.
One of the distinctive features of Martorell is the physical connection between Workshop 20 and the final assembly areaThe completed battery systems are transported by a automated bridge or tunnel of about 600 meters This corridor, which is already operational, connects the assembly plant to the main workshop where the vehicles are assembled. It allows for the continuous transport of the packages without the need for internal trucks or additional maneuvers.
According to the company, this logistics solution reduces time, costs and handling risksThis also simplifies the plant's internal organization. Furthermore, it physically places battery production "at the heart" of the complex, very close to the Seat Technical Center, where the group's new urban electric models are being developed.
Sustainability: solar energy and resource conservation
The new facility has been designed not only to increase production capacity, but also to reduce the carbon footprint of the factory. The building incorporates around [number] on its roof 11.000 solar panelswhich, according to the company's calculations, can contribute up to 70% of electricity necessary for the assembly of battery systems.
This commitment to photovoltaic generation is complemented by a water collection and management system capable of storing a volume equivalent to three Olympic swimming poolsThe goal is to reduce drinking water consumption, reuse it in different processes, and improve the plant's resilience to potential drought episodes, an increasingly relevant aspect in Catalonia.
Workshop 20 design has also introduced optimized internal logistics processesless need for external movements and a layout designed for minimize travel and downtimeThe company emphasizes that the combination of digitalization, automation, and energy efficiency should result in a substantial reduction in emissions per vehicle produced.
Regarding the product itself, the plant will work with the MEB+ battery system, the evolution of the Volkswagen Group's electric platform. This architecture incorporates the so-called “unified cell” and a type design cell-to-pack, in which the intermediate module stage is eliminated. The aim is increase energy density and cut costscritical factors in order to be able to offer small electric cars at competitive prices.
The main chemistry planned for these cells includes variants such as the lithium iron phosphate (LFP)which stands out for its stability and lower cost compared to other technologies. Although the company has not yet provided exhaustive details on all the specifications, it does emphasize that the focus is on gain industrial flexibility and to be able to adapt production to different needs in terms of autonomy, performance, and price.
Origin of the cells and role of Sagunt in the European network
One of the most sensitive points of the project is the origin of the battery cells which are assembled in Martorell. The Volkswagen Group's strategic plan envisions its own production network in Europe, led by PowerCo, its subsidiary specializing in batteries.
In the first phase, the Catalan plant has begun working with cells from the group's existing operational facilities in Germany, Meanwhile, construction is progressing on the Sagunt gigafactory (Valencia)which in the future should become the main supplier of cells for Martorell and for other factories of the consortium on the continent.
The idea is to articulate a “backbone” of electrification in SpainWith cell production concentrated in Sagunto and battery and vehicle assembly in plants like Martorell or Landaben, in Navarre. In this way, a significant part of the electric car value chain is managed locally. remains within the European Unionreducing dependence on external suppliers and strengthening security of supply.
Project managers emphasize that PowerCo's unified cell is designed to function as a global technology platformThis is valid for different brands and segments. Production in Martorell will benefit from this scale by being able to share components, processes and standards with other factories in the group, both in Europe and in other regions.
This strategy aligns with the EU's industrial priorities, which seek strengthen its strategic autonomy In sectors like batteries, which are highly exposed to geopolitical tensions and Asian competition, for Seat, positioning itself on this development axis means not only securing supply, but also gaining weight in design and industrialization of future generations of batteries.
Cupra Raval and ID. Polo: the first beneficiaries
The start of Workshop 20 is directly linked to the launch of the new family of urban electric cars of the Volkswagen Group. In Martorell, the two main protagonists will be the Cupra raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo, models intended to be positioned at the entry level of the consortium's electric range.
The company's forecast is that the battery plant exclusively feed the production lines of these models starting from 2026In this way, the packs produced in Workshop 20 will be installed almost immediately in the vehicles moving through Workshop 10, without long journeys or intermediate storage.
The Cupra Raval is destined to be the first 100% electric urban bus developed in Martorell, with a price positioning that will be around 26.000 Euros in its entry-level versions. The brand has announced that it will feature several launch editionswith power outputs exceeding 150 kW in the highest performance configurations and estimated ranges of between 400 and 450 kilometers, depending on the version and battery chosen.
In addition to its role as the entry-level model in Cupra's electric range, the Raval will incorporate some symbolic details, such as the integration of the Catalan among the languages available through its infotainment system. The company thus seeks to strengthen its ties with the Martorell area and project an image of a European urban vehicle with a strong, distinctive personality.
In parallel, the Volkswagen ID. Polo will be positioned as the equivalent offering within the Volkswagen brand, sharing its basic architecture and battery systems assembled in Martorell. These two models are part of a larger project of four electric urban buses of Brand Group Core: in addition to Raval and ID. Polo in Catalonia, Volkswagen Navarre will produce the Skoda Epic and the Volkswagen ID. Cross in Landaben, also with batteries based on the MEB+ platform.
According to the group's representatives, this family of models should allow significantly increase the volume of affordable electric cars in the European market, in a context where the penetration of electric vehicles is still uneven between countries and segments.
Martorell as the epicenter of European electric mobility
The opening of the assembly plant has been accompanied by a remarkable institutional and political presencewhich underscores the strategic dimension of the project. Those in attendance included president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa’s most emblematic landmarks, the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu’s most emblematic landmarks, the Seat and Cupra CEO, Markus Haupt and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seat and the top executive of the Volkswagen brand, Thomas Schäfer, among other managers.
In their speeches, the public representatives emphasized that the new plant reinforces Spain's role as Europe's second largest car producer and as one of the countries best positioned to lead the transition to electric mobility in the south of the continent. Illa described the facility as a “national commitment”, in which the industrial interests of Catalonia, the European energy strategy and Seat's 75-year history converge.
Hereu, for his part, emphasized that projects like Martorell are a central piece of the Spain Auto Plan 2030 and the various calls for aid aimed at electrifying the vehicle fleet and modernizing industry. The minister stressed that the government's objective is to ensure a a “calm, clear and ambitious” transition, which combines large-scale private investments with public policies that support innovation and employment.
Also present in the audience were union leaders and representatives of various political parties, including Pepe Álvarez, Camil Ros and Belén López by UGT and CCOO, as well as leaders of parties such as ERC and JuntsThis plurality of actors reflects the broad consensus regarding the importance of the automotive industry in the Catalan and Spanish economies, and the role that Martorell will play in the industrial competitiveness of the next decade.
Seat's management insists that the plant is not only a response to European regulatory requirements, but also a way to secure the future of the factory In a context of profound changes in the automotive industry, the company is confident that, with a combination of electric, hybrid, and efficient combustion models, Martorell can remain one of the leading manufacturers. Volkswagen Group's highest production volume facilities in Europe.
With the opening of Workshop 20, Martorell concludes a phase of construction and adaptation and enters a new phase in which the Electrification becomes part of everyday life The plant's capacity to produce up to 300.000 battery systems per year, its focus on sustainability, and its integration with future urban models such as the Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo place this facility at the heart of the German consortium's strategy in Spain and make it a benchmark for electric mobility in Europe.
