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MCG Open Day 2026 Brings Strategic Partners Together at MCG

MCG automotive ∙

MCG welcomed more than 100 strategic partners and industry professionals for an afternoon focused on the future of the European automotive industry.

The MCG Open Day 2026, held on 30 September, brought together customers, partners, institutions and industry professionals for an afternoon of strategic discussion, industrial visits and networking.

The event addressed some of the main challenges facing the sector, including competitiveness, industrial transformation, innovation and stronger collaboration across the automotive value chain.

A guided visit to selected MCG production areas connected these discussions with the engineering, industrialisation and manufacturing capabilities supporting automotive programmes.

The event also highlighted results from projects led and implemented by MCG within the Hi-rEV and Drivolution Mobilising Agendas, showing how collaborative R&D can contribute to innovation, industrial capability and competitiveness.

The afternoon concluded with an informal networking session, reinforcing the value of bringing different parts of the automotive ecosystem together around common challenges and opportunities.

Speakers and Perspectives

  • The impact of MCG on the Alenquer region
    Eng. João Nicolau – Mayor of Alenquer
  • The challenges facing Portuguese Small Mid Caps in the European automotive industry
    Dr. José Couto – President of AFIA
  • MCG Presentation
    Eng. Carlos Saraiva – General Manager, MCG Automotive
  • Implementation and impact of the PRR on Portugal’s automotive components industry
    Dr. Pedro Dominguinhos – President of the National PRR Monitoring Committee
  • Hi-rEV and Drivolution projects – Results at MCG
    Eng. Vitor Pereira, Engineering Director, and Eng. José Freitas, Sales Engineer – MCG Automotive
  • The role of national component suppliers in the competitiveness of Volkswagen Autoeuropa
    Dra. Dinora Guerreiro – Procurement Business Area Manager at Volkswagen Autoeuropa
  • The role of academia in the competitiveness of the European automotive industry and the impact of AI
    Engª. Beatriz Silva – Associate Professor, Instituto Superior Técnico
  • The role of national component suppliers in the competitiveness of JAC in Europe
    Eng. José Pacheco – Managing Director for Europe, JAC Products
  • The impact of Hi-rEV + Drivolution projects on companies
    Eng. João Machado – General Manager, Mobinov