Altran makes barcelona its base for electric vehicle innovation

Technology consultant to open lab and development centre.

expert technology consultants altran are to make barcelona their base for all innovation r+d projects to do with electric vehicles. until now, the centre focused on the spanish market, and therefore, with the setting up of the new centre of excellence, the base will undertake projects from clients worldwide.

altran’s key accounts in the field of electric vehicle technology include nissan-renault, psa peugeot, bmw, seat, and the other members of the vw – porsche group.

the ceo of altran in spain, alfonso martínez explained that barcelona has gathered considerable experience in the automotive sector, which is why the firm opted to establish its worldwide centre of excellence in the city. the expansion of the operation is set to mean up to a further 100 staff will be taken on by the centre; mostly engineers. in addition, it will be necessary to build a specialised test bed for powertrains, which the company hopes to have up and running this year.

the new centre will also be based in the centre the firm has in barcelona’s high tech district; the 22@, already employing over 700 people in the ict, insurance, security and information systems. altran’s current turnover in spain stands at approximately €120 million.

source: la vanguardia, 12/03/12