La primera crisis de SEAT: el veto a General Motors y la compra de AUTHI a British Leyland (1972-1976)
Resumen
En 1972 SEAT era la primera empresa industrial hispana y lideraba la exportación de automóviles, gracias a una política favorable a la nacionalización productiva. Pero la política industrial del franquismo tardío dio un giro copernicano con la aprobación de los decretos Ford. Dicho vuelco incluyó, en 1973, la invitación a General Motors a salvar la filial de British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), AUTHI. Más que una imposición gubernamental, la compra de Landaben por SEAT en 1975 constituyó la contrapartida del veto a la entrada de General Motors. La resultante ampliación de plantilla era poco recomendable para una compañía que experimentaba un notable crecimiento de costes laborales desde 1969 y una peligrosa caída de la demanda desde 1974. Además, el cambio de política y el posterior incumplimiento del pacto contribuyeron a enturbiar las relaciones con FIAT, acabando con la “luna de miel” en que se desenvolvían sus relaciones desde 1970.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Industria del automóvil, SEAT, General Motors, BLMC, FIAT, Ford, España
Códigos JEL: L62, N64, N84, O14 |
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The first crisis of SEAT: the veto to General Motors and the purchase of AUTHI to British Leyland (1972-1976)
Abstract
In 1972 SEAT was the first Spanish industrial firm and led the export of automobiles, thanks to a nationalist policy. However, the industrial policy of late Francoism experienced a dramatic change with the approval of Ford’s decrees. Such a change included the invitation to General Motors to rescue the Spanish subsidiary of British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), AUTHI, in 1973. The purchase of its plant in Landaben by SEAT in 1975 has to be considered more the consequence of a pact preventing the entrance of General Motors than the outcome of direct pressure by government. The increase in the size of employment resulted to be a very risky decision for a company which was experiencing a significant push on labour costs since 1969 and a dangerous fall in demand since 1974. Moreover, the change of policy and the further removal of the veto on General Motors, would contribute to jeopardize the relationship with FIAT, ending the honey moon experienced during the early seventies.
KEY WORDS: Automobile industry, SEAT, General Motors, BLMC, FIAT, Ford, Spain
JEL Codes: L62, N64, N84, O14 |
