20/03/2020 (Agence Europe) – In a press release on Friday 20 March, ACEA, the organisation representing European car manufacturers, welcomed the measures announced by the European Commission. However, ACEA believes that the European Union needs to put measures in place to prevent both jobs and the sector’s research and innovation capacity being destroyed, and should be prepared to implement measures to stimulate the sector in the future. ACEA points out that the automotive sector, with its 13.8 million direct jobs, is a key sector for economic recovery. ACEA also calls for every effort to be made to maintain production and supply of spare parts, and also vehicle maintenance networks, to ensure that the emergency services (ambulances, fire brigade, law enforcement, etc.) can continue to function, and that deliveries of medicines, food and fuel can continue to be made. (PH)