The automotive sector represents around 18% of Galicia's industrial GDP and approximately 35% of exports. Its importance in the development of the Galician economy has made the province of Pontevedra, where most of the industry in this sector is concentrated due to the presence of PSA Peugeot-Citroën, the fourth in Spain in terms of export volume.

The importance of this sector led to the creation in 1997 of the Galician Cluster of Automotive Companies (Clúster de Empresas de Automoción de Galicia or CEAGA). The number of companies associated with the cluster is currently 76, employing over 14,700 people with an estimated turnover of 2,645 million Euro in 2006.

In order to support the research, development, and innovation activities of companies, the Ministry of Innovation and Industry and CEAGA created in 2002 the Technological Automotive Centre of Galicia (Centro Tecnológico de la Automoción de Galicia or CTAG). CTAG is a private technological centre that is administered by the Foundation for Innovation, Research, and Technological Development in the Galician Automotive Industry, and is comprised of public companies and organisations (Ministry of Innovation and Industry, University, etc) as well as private entities (local construction companies, CEAGA, companies in the automotive sector, etc). CTAG is staffed with over 200 engineers and its mission is to help increase the competitiveness of automotive companies through the development and transfer of related technologies, as well as to boost and direct R&D and innovation in the sector.