Basque Trade & Investment, through its Shanghai office and in collaboration with ACICAE, has coordinated a trade mission comprising 18 Basque companies to assess ongoing and prospective projects led by major manufacturers such as BYD, Geely, and NIO.
The Basque automotive sector has undertaken a technical and commercial mission to China with the objective of consolidating its presence and identifying business opportunities with the country’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This initiative, organized by Basque Trade & Investment, an agency for the internationalization of Basque enterprises within the SPRI Group, from its Shanghai office and in collaboration with ACICAE, aligns with a broader strategy to reinforce engagement with a market in which Basque industry already maintains a sustained operational footprint.
The mission involved a delegation of 18 Basque firms representing the full automotive value chain, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers as well as machinery manufacturers. The strategic relevance of this delegation lies in its prior experience in the Asian market, as most participating companies already operate production facilities or maintain permanent commercial representations in China.
Strategic actions
During the course of the mission, the following lines of action were developed:
Capability showcasing:
The delegation engaged in meetings with established manufacturers and emerging actors such as BYD, Geely, NIO, Chery, Gotion, and Leapmotor. These interactions aimed to present the technological capabilities of the Basque industrial ecosystem to emerging leaders in next-generation mobility.
Assessment of European expansion plans:
The mission included an analysis of the industrial strategies and expansion plans of these OEMs into the European market, where they are already advancing investments in R&D centers and manufacturing facilities.
Opportunity identification:
The mission enabled first-hand evaluation of emerging product development cycles—characterized by accelerated timelines—and the specific technical requirements imposed by these manufacturers, thereby facilitating the identification of new business opportunities.
