Companies from the Podkarpackie operating in the automotive industry manufacture sub-assemblies, parts and accessories for cars of globally well-known brands. If you put together all the components made here - beams, shock absorbers, gaskets, filters, wire harnesses, tires and windscreens - you could assemble almost an entire car. This symbolic ‘car of the Podkarpackie’ illustrates the potential of the industry in the region. The local automotive industry also includes such brands as Autosan, a manufacturer of buses, and Melex, a manufacturer of electric microcars.
The automotive industry, which is based on high technologies, plays an important role in the economic growth of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. According to the Regional Innovation Strategy this specialisation involves the production of motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers and rolling stock, including environmentally friendly means of transport. It also includes the production of automotive components and accessories, as well as research and development operations carried out for this industry.
Automotive parts and components account for a significant part of the region’s export sales, and the companies operating in this sector, introducing new or enhanced products, rank among the leaders in innovation from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. According to the Central Statistical Office, in June 2024 there were more than 8,900 enterprises in this industry, 76 of which employed more than 50 people. Many of them are large enterprises with foreign capital.
Complete vehicles are produced by a number of companies in the Podkarpackie region. One of these is Autosan, known as a manufacturer of buses, including fuel cell vehicles. After it was acquired by entities belonging to Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, it also initiated production for the defence industry. Another company, Melex from Mielec specializes in electric microcars. Another brand in the economic landscape of the Podkarpackie region is Romet, a company specialising in the production and distribution of scooters and motorbikes, as well as bicycles, including electro bikes. However, a significant majority of the automotive companies in the Podkarpackie region cooperate with global brands. They manufacture and supply such products as metal frames for vehicles, windows and windscreens, tires, rims, engine components, suspension systems and brakes, filters, electronics, lighting, seats, oils, coatings, chemicals as well as plastic and metal items, and many other products. These are delivered directly to car manufacturers or to subcontractors. The growth of the region’s automotive sector is reflected by its excellent financial results, partly owing to the high volume of export sales.
Most factories are located in the Special Economic Zones in Mielec and Tarnobrzeg, as well as in Gorzyce, Stalowa Wola and Dębica. The companies operating there include such giants as Pilkington Automotive Poland a supplier of automotive glass; Federal-Mogul manufacturing various sub-assemblies including pistons for internal combustion engines; Superior Industries - one of the world's largest manufacturers of aluminium rims; and Kirchhoff producing parts and assemblies for cars and vans. The biggest players in the region also include the American corporation Goodyear, which owns the Dębica Tire Company. The Polish company Bury, a manufacturer of ITC systems for the automotive industry, is also effectively expanding its business.
Some automotive companies are located in the central part of the region, in the vicinity of Rzeszów and Sędziszów Małopolski. These include BorgWarner, which produces mainly turbochargers, and PZL Sędziszów, a supplier of car filters.
In the south, the automotive industry is concentrated in Sanok, Krosno and Zagórz. In fact, it was 100 years ago that the first buses left the Sanok factory, which later transformed into Autosan. Today, there are a number of local enterprises such as the Sanok Rubber Company, a leader in the production of rubber items, Automet specialising in the production of plastic parts, and FA Krosno, a supplier of gas springs; their products are exported worldwide from this area.
Advancement in the SS Automotive Industry in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship is possible owing to the region’s high potential related to the scientific research. The automotive sector is a leader as regards investment in innovation, and most companies engage in R&D projects. The local universities have extensive laboratory facilities to conduct R&D operations for the automotive sector. Particularly noteworthy projects are conducted by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics of the Rzeszów University of Technology. The research carried out at the Department of Automotive Vehicles and Transport Engineering focuses for instance on vehicle structures, engines and sustainable fuels. The university programs also inspire students associated in the research club PRz Racing Team; they have successfully participated in international competitions where they have presented five racing cars, their latest achievement being an electric-powered racing car - the PMT-06E.
The region also stands out for the educational opportunities for young people wanting to work in the automotive sector. In addition to the Rzeszów University of Technology, related courses of study are on offer at schools of higher education in Sanok, Krosno and Przemyśl.
The training of specialists for the automotive sector starts already in secondary schools - with this in mind, businesses provide support for education. The Eastern Automotive Alliance cluster has initiated a program entitled the Podkarpackie Automotive Academy - Innovative Vocational Education. The project offers study visits and internships for teachers and students in companies associated within the cluster. As a result of the cooperation, the schools have changed the teaching curricula related to some professions e.g. mechanical and mechatronics technician.
The Eastern Automotive Alliance was founded in 2015. The cluster currently has 37 members, including automotive companies, universities, secondary technical schools and business support institutions. In 2016, the Polish Automotive Group (PGM) was launched in Sędziszów. Today, it is a nationwide association and a National Key Cluster bringing together Polish manufacturers of vehicle parts and components. The PGM, comprising more than 80 factories and engineering companies, promotes advancement in the automotive industry by facilitating its members’ access to new markets and supply chains. The third association is the Industry and Science Cluster ‘Ziemia Sanocka’, which aims to support innovation and commercialisation of the effects of R&D activities.
The automotive sector in the region, like the industry as a whole, is facing new challenges. These most importantly include electromobility requirements defined by EU regulations related to climate and sustainability policies. Electromobility is a technology of the future that aims to reduce greenhouse gases, smog and noise. It also presents new opportunities for the industry associated with a need to design and manufacture zero emission vehicles. As required by the European Commission, businesses are also striving to achieve zero emissions in the vehicle manufacturing process. Another task is the construction of charging stations for passenger and cargo vehicles.
From the viewpoint of the region's economy it is important that advancement in automotive industry today increasingly relies on ICT. Therefore, further progress in the automotive sector may be supported by entities representing another smart specialization of the Podkarpackie region, i.e. Information and Telecommunications. Automotive industry continues to be one of the most important sectors of global economy. Since it constantly evolves, it requires innovation and investment, and stimulates technological progress. These are extremely important facts for the smart growth of the Podkarpackie Region.