The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, convened key European industry leaders, social partners and stakeholders to launch the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry on Thursday 30 January (see EUROPE 13567/11). “This dialogue marks the start of an inclusive and collaborative process aimed at addressing critical challenges facing the sector and ensuring its continued success as a major driver of the European economy”, according to the Commission.
The automotive industry accounts for over 13 million direct and indirect jobs and contributes around €1 trillion to Europe’s gross domestic product. “The Commission acknowledges the urgent need to take measures that will both protect the European automotive industry and ensure its continued prosperity within the European Union”, she stressed.
The President of the Commission has asked the Commissioner for Transport and Tourism, Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas, to present an Action Plan on Wednesday 5 March, which “will chart a clear course to ensure our industry can thrive in Europe and compete successfully on a global stage”, she explained in a press release.
Four additional commissioners. This Action Plan will address a wide range of issues, such as “ensuring access to talent and resources, fostering technological innovation and the development of next-generation vehicles, and establishing a pragmatic and predictable regulatory framework”. It will be based in particular on the high-level discussion held on Thursday, in which around twenty industry players took part: the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA); the European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC); manufacturers BMW, Daimler Truck, Renault, Volkswagen, Iveco, Traton and Volvo; theEuropean Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA); the European trade union IndustriAll; the network of associations European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E); equipment manufacturers Bosch, MAHLE, ZF, Valeo and Forvia; ChargeUp Europe; MILENCE; RECHARGE and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).
A public consultation has also been launched. Four Commissioners will lead targeted discussions on key topics with a diverse group of stakeholders from across the automotive value chain. Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, will focus on the Clean Transition of the automotive sector, and Stéphane Séjourné, Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, will address the Industrial Value Chain for the industry. Henna Virkkunen, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Digital and Tech Sovereignty, will oversee discussions on Technological and Digital Innovation, while Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights, will lead on Skills and Social considerations within the sector.
Mr Séjourné will be bringing together all the players in the value chain, including equipment manufacturers and the battery industry, in the second half of February.
In a press release published the same day, CLEPA called for “urgent regulatory adjustments and a long-term strategy to secure industrial competitiveness, investment and jobs”. It wants to see “a technology-neutral approach, including plug-in hybrids, range extenders, hydrogen and sustainable fuels, complementing electrification at the core”. (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)