Fernández Mañueco Expresses Joy Over Renault's Award for Commitment to Castilla y León

In 2024, the milestone of one million new car registrations was surpassed in Spain. A total of 1,016,885 units were sold in 2024, marking a 7.1% increase compared to the previous year. In the first month of 2025, six out of every ten vehicles sold were zero or low-emission, and sales of pure electric vehicles rose by 49.1% in January. However, dark clouds loom on the horizon following the non-renewal of the MOVES Plan and the 15% IRPF deduction for the purchase of electric cars.

In this context, the ABC Car of the Year 2025 Award was presented yesterday to the Renault 5, the first 100% electric vehicle in the award's history.

The President of the Junta of Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, along with ABC's director, Julián Quirós, presented the most prestigious award in Spanish automotive to the General Director of Renault and Alpine Spain, Sébastien Guigues. This marks the eleventh time the brand has won this award, having also been the first to win it in 1973 with the Renault 5.

For Fernández Mañueco, this award to Renault is a personal joy, as "a brand like the diamond, so linked, so committed, and with such a presence in Castilla y León, has been awarded."

As highlighted by the President of the Junta during the award ceremony, this accolade "emphasizes the success of your commitment to sustainability and future mobility through innovation and quality."

Mañueco referred to the model as a worthy successor to the legendary R-5 awarded by ABC in the first edition. In this case, the new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric "demonstrates the significant advances made by the sector, and vehicles like this will mark a milestone in the industry and mobility for future generations."

In this regard, he highlighted that the automotive sector has strongly contributed to making the community of Castilla y León a leader in Spain in industrial production growth. "The foreign trade data released today indicate that we are the Autonomous Community that grew the most in exports in 2024, 15% more compared to the national average of 0.2%. We are very proud of you, and the government of Castilla y León will always be by your side and on your side."

During his speech, Mañueco called on the Government of Spain, along with other autonomous communities, for a new MOVES IV Plan that includes direct discounts on the purchase of electric vehicles, as well as a VAT reduction.

He also requested a pact that allows for a fair transition, adapted to market realities, ensuring competitiveness, the viability of industrial projects, and employment.

From his perspective, such a pact should include the flexibilization of the European CAFE emissions regulations, support for investment in modernization and new technologies, a fiscal framework that incentivizes industrial projects, and a tariff policy that ensures competitiveness. For Mañueco, "in the current debate on tariffs, effective diplomacy is needed, neither defiant stances nor complicit silences." He firmly stated that "sectors like automotive have too much at stake to depend on the whims of ideological pride that solve nothing."

The President of the Junta concluded his speech by stating that "the award given to the Renault 5 E-Tech is a clear reflection of the great dynamism of our industry and its ability to adapt to the new challenges of the 21st century. A reflection of the future vision that we in Castilla y León share with companies like the award-winning Renault today, and with all those that make up the automotive sector."

ABC's director, Julián Quirós, opened the event with remarks on the radical change the automotive world is undergoing, with significant challenges in Spain. He emphasized the need to curb the aging of the car fleet in Spain, which currently exceeds 14 years. Decisive actions are needed to implement new electric technology, "which involves creating a charging infrastructure."

According to Quirós, "users need to be convinced that switching to electric is good for everyone and making electric vehicles affordable, for which public support is essential."

The tire company Michelin, which sponsored the 53rd edition of the award, was represented by its Commercial Director for Spain and Portugal, Alexandre Hennion, who highlighted the importance of the event as a reflection of the "dedication of manufacturers to advancing towards safer and more sustainable mobility, in which the tire plays a key role."

Hennion expressed his commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility, as "Michelin has always been recognized for the safety, durability, and efficiency of its tires."