Spain challenges Germany, but Morocco steals the spotlight in the automotive sector

The study, conducted by the Oliver Wyman consulting firm, analyzes the labor cost per vehicle, an indicator that combines wages and productivity. Spain maintains a competitive intermediate position on the European continent, with a cost per vehicle of around $968.

This level is very advantageous compared to its direct neighbors, such as France ($2,067), Italy ($2,333), and especially Germany ($3,307), the most expensive country in Europe. The report notes that productivity and wage moderation have allowed Spain to remain attractive for investments, including for electric vehicles.

Morocco, an emerging hub three times cheaper

While Spain remains competitive in Europe, the comparison with the new emerging industrial hubs is much less favorable. The Oliver Wyman study reveals that manufacturing a car in Spain is already three times more expensive than in Morocco, where the labor cost per vehicle barely reaches $273.

Other emerging countries are also highly competitive, such as Romania ($305) or Mexico ($414). These figures explain why French manufacturers are relocating their production, as North Africa has become the "epicenter of their industrial strategy." Europe is emerging as the most expensive region in the world for car production, while China ($585) and these new hubs are gaining ground with more efficient structures.