The Automotive Industry and European Integration: The Divergent Paths of Belgium and Spain [Paperback]

This book chronicles the divergent growth trends in car production in Belgium and Spain. It delves into how European integration, high wages, and the demise of GM and Ford led to plant closings in Belgium.  Next, it investigates how lower wages and the expansion strategies of Western European automakers stimulated expansion in the Spanish auto industry. Finally, it offers three alternate scenarios regarding how further EU expansion and Brexit may potentially reshape the geographic footprint of European car production over the next ten years. In sum, this book utilizes history to help expand the knowledge of scholars and policymakers regarding how European integration and Brexit may impact future auto industry investment for all EU nations.

1. The Beginnings of the European Union and Overview of the Book.- 2. Car Production and the Four Phases of European Integration, 1958-2017.- 3. Introduction to Part II: The Early Belgian Car Industry.- 4. Ford Motor in Belgium.- 5. General Motors in Belgium.- 6. A History of Renault Haren-Vilvoorde.- 7. The Multiple Roads to VWs Audi Brussels in Forest.- 8. Volvo and Other Foreign Carmakers in Belgium.- 9. Conclusion to Part II- The Future of the Belgian Car Industry.- 10. Introduction to Part III: The Early Spanish Carmakers.- 11. Ford Motor in Spain.- 12. General Motors in Spain, 1925-2017.- 13. Renault Valladolid and Palencia.- 14. A History of VWs Spanish Car Plants, Part I: 1940-1989.- 15. A History of VWs Spanish Car Plants, Part II: 1989-2018.- 16. PSA Peugeot Citroens Car Plants in Spain Part I: 1951-1989.- 17. PSA Peugeot-Citroens Car Plants in Spain Part II: 1989-2018.- 18. Conclusion to Part III- The Future of the Spanish Car Industry.- 19. EU Expansion, l3]