Last November, Volkswagen gave a clear sign of its will to maintain its plant in Portugal, with the announcement of an investment volume in Autoeuropa of 541 million euros for 2008-2010. Also in production the Portuguese plant from Volkswagen was recently under the spotlight: Scirocco was presented in Geneva Motor Show with success. Now Autoeuropa shows its performance in Portugal through its human resources: Octávio Carmo Costa was appointed as Director for Strategic Development of Suppliers. The goal of this new position in the management structure of Autoeuropa is to increase competitiveness and the performance of the Portuguese industry of automobile components in collaboration with representatives of the associations from the sector and governmental institutions.

Octávio Carmo Costa was also appointed to represent Autoeuropa in the Technical Office for the Dynamization of the Automobile Industry (GTDIA), a work group recently created by the government. The tasks of this work group will be, among others, to work concepts, discuss and mould them with the institutions involved, always with the goal to strengthen this important economic sector. Octávio Carmo Costa has a wide professional experience in the automobile industry and he is involved in Autoeuropa's process since its foundation.

With the expansion of the product range produced at Autoeuropa, arise each time better opportunities for the Portuguese suppliers to make part of this growth tendency - not only in the supplies to Palmela's plant, but also to other plants of the group. As advantage, we highlight the lower costs due to the proximity to Autoeuropa and to other plants in the Iberian Peninsula. Naturally, quality, reliability in deliver and prices internationally competitive will always be a determinant factor.

The vote of trust from Volkswagen in its Portuguese plant is a strong sign to the Portuguese automobile industry that gathers today around 200 companies. The same way Autoeuropa stands out with success in the middle of the global competition, the Portuguese industry of automobile components must also stand out base in competitive arguments to grow and compete equally in the global markets.