Picture this: the roar of engines replaced by a gentle hum, gas stations giving way to charging points, and finding yourself behind the wheel of a car that, well, doesn’t need gas anymore. For Manuel Palma, legendary Spanish car dealer and marathon-lover, this isn’t just a far-off dream—it’s happening now. And according to him, there’s no turning back.
From Grease Monkey to Spanish Auto Mogul
Manuel Palma was born in 1959 in Córdoba and began his career with grease on his hands as a mechanic. It didn’t take long for him to realize there was more money to be made buying and selling cars than just fixing them. In the 1980s, he set up shop in Valencia, and over the next four decades, Palma became one of Spain’s most renowned car dealers. His journey wasn’t just about selling cars; it was about witnessing—and thriving through—a seismic shift in the automotive landscape.
- Over 150,000 cars sold
- A network of 12 showrooms
- Experience spanning the era from carburetors to electric engines
Palma’s life embodies the dramatic transformation in how people move—and what moves them.
Margins Shrinking, Competition Rising
“In my best years, I sold 7,000 cars annually,” Palma recalls. That kind of success is no longer viable, even for industry veterans. Where there were once six major car brands to manage, today’s market boasts around fifty, making it virtually impossible to keep up.
- Thinner profit margins than ever
- Fierce brand competition
It’s no wonder Palma refers to the current market as “impossible”—but not without a twinkle in his eye and a knack for adaptation.
The Real Game Changers: Price and Range
Two factors, Palma insists, will decide the fate of electric cars: price and range. He calls it illogical that electric vehicles (EVs) should still cost more than their petrol-powered siblings when their engineering is simpler. For EVs to truly beat the combustion engine in a fair fight, Palma says the range must reach 800 to 1000 kilometers per charge. Only then, he believes, will electric driving become seriously competitive.
Palma has mixed feelings about the global battleground. In his words, “Europe has shot itself in the foot.” Once the world leader in engine technology, Europe now finds itself outpaced by China when it comes to batteries. The Chinese have the factories, the expertise, and, crucially, much lower costs. Competing on a level playing field, Palma warns, has become a Herculean task—no mythological feats required, just cold, hard economics.
Palma calls on European governments to level that playing field:
- “A gasoline-powered Porsche should not pay the same tax as an electric car.”
- Financial incentives are key to speeding up the transition, he insists.
Life Beyond the Showroom—and the Unstoppable Electric Future
Though Palma has stepped away from the day-to-day running of his car business, slowing down isn’t part of his vocabulary. He now devotes his considerable energy to education, real estate, and healthcare. His group operates three schools serving over a thousand students and several care facilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, not a single fatality occurred in his care homes, a fact he shares with visible pride.
His entrepreneurial wisdom? “Spend as if you are poor, invest as if you are rich.” And he walks (and runs) the talk: Palma is also a passionate marathon runner. “In a marathon, you learn to enjoy the suffering,” he says. It’s a lesson he applies to business too: early mornings, problem-solving, weathering setbacks. If you can take pleasure in the journey, you’re on the right track.
At 66, Palma has made his choice clear: his next car will be electric. The reasons are straightforward:
- Quieter rides
- Cleaner for the environment
- Simpler to build
What’s missing? That sweet spot of affordability and genuinely long range. But for Palma, it’s inevitable: “The transition is unstoppable.”
Conclusion: Charge Up and Get Ready
The transformation from gasoline engines to electric power is not just a speculation for the future. Industry veterans like Palma have witnessed the entire evolution, driven by price, range, and the race for technological supremacy. As governments, manufacturers, and drivers wrestle with the new realities, one thing is certain: whether you’re a marathon runner or just running late, the electric transition waits for no one.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
