European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised Europe’s automotive industry an “action plan” to support the deep clean transition that the European Union (EU) is demanding from the sector.
This strategy will be unveiled on 5 March and will incorporate insights from the structured dialogue that Brussels launched with industry representatives this Thursday.
“The integrated action plan will set a clear course to ensure that our industry can thrive in Europe and compete successfully on a global scale,” von der Leyen stated during a meeting with top European automakers in Brussels.
The German conservative acknowledged that the automotive sector is at a “crucial moment” due to the challenges it faces but insisted that the Commission is acting swiftly to address them.
“The fundamental question we must answer together is what we are still missing to unlock the innovative power of our companies and secure a strong, sustainable sector,” she explained, before announcing the launch date of the new support strategy, which Sustainable Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has been tasked with developing.
Brussels Aims to Protect the Automotive Industry’s Competitiveness
The European Commission recognises that the automotive sector and its suppliers are undergoing a “profound and transformative shift”, making it “urgent” to introduce measures that protect these industries and secure their continued prosperity within the EU, according to an official statement.
A total of 22 key industry players participated in the first structured dialogue session, including manufacturers like BMW, Renault, and Volkswagen, as well as the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF).
Brussels aims to identify priority areas that require “urgent attention”, such as ensuring a level playing field in global competition, facilitating the green transition, and simplifying regulatory frameworks.
As part of this effort, the Commission also launched a public consultation on Thursday, inviting stakeholders from across the sector to provide input on the challenges and potential solutions.
Additionally, four thematic working groups have been established, each led by a different Commissioner, to focus on key areas of the upcoming plan:
- Henna Virkkunen, Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, will oversee Digital and Technological Innovation.
- Stéphane Séjourné, Vice-President for Industrial Strategy, will focus on the industrial value chain.
- Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate and Green Growth, will address the transition to clean mobility.
- Roxana Minzatu, Commissioner for Employment, will tackle the social implications of these changes.
Brussels’ latest initiative signals a strong commitment to balancing environmental goals with economic sustainability, as the EU navigates the future of its automotive industry.
