Manifesto ACEA for a competitive European Automotive Industry

Manifesto ACEA for a competitive European Automotive Industry

January 10, 2024

A Competitive European Auto Industry, Driving the Mobility Revolution

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), published its Manifesto #FutureDriven at the end of November 2023, setting out a future-proof, people-centric vision for an industry that supports sustainability, highly-skilled European jobs, safe and reliable transport, global competitiveness and accessible mobility for all.

In this document, ACEA presents five key policy recommendations for the next five-year EU mandate (2024-2029). The aim of this manifesto is to support the new EU leaders by expressing ACEA's vision, formulating high-level policy recommendations and establishing a focused and collaborative roadmap for action by the automotive industry.

FutureDriven_image-2048x1152.png

What are the challenges for the automotive sector ?

Our industry is undergoing the biggest transformation in over a century. We are fully committed to the Paris climate objectives and are investing massively in green transformation. For ACEA, the need to decarbonize is beyond doubt: the future of our planet is at stake. We are investing billions to achieve this, far more than any other sector. Green transformation brings with it new value chains, which Europe has not yet fully developed. The transition to the digital age has also brought about profound changes in the activities of automakers. At the same time, we are faced with fierce global competition, rising business costs, growing protectionism and a radically changing geopolitical landscape. Europe and the automotive industry are at a decisive turning point. The obstacles are enormous and the stakes high. Urgent coordinated action is needed from Europe's political decision-makers.

Five policy recommendations for the next five years

We have formulated five high-level policy recommendations for the next five-year mandate of the European institutions (2024-2029) :

1. Time for an "industrial pact": Putting industrial strategy back on the agenda

Establish a holistic EU industrial strategy across all stages of the digital and green value chain: from R&D, mining, refining, components and manufacturing, to charging networks, energy, purchase incentives and lifecycle recycling.

2. Adopting a strategic vision: Rethinking the regulatory framework

Move beyond a regulatory stacking approach and develop a coherent strategy with :

  • long-term planning security and sufficient lead time
  • a more reasonable pace of regulation
  • viable alternatives in the event of "exit strategies" for specific technologies/substances

3. Staying in the race: Ensuring we can compete globally

Ensuring a level playing field for sustainably manufactured European vehicles by defending fair and free trade rules and guaranteeing access to essential supplies. Make Europe an attractive place to produce and work.

4. Keeping an open mind: making technological neutrality a guiding principle

Ensure that technological openness fosters innovation and guides all EU regulatory proposals.

5. Keeping Europe moving: Preserving the mobility of people and goods

Mobility is essential to wealth creation and must not be compromised: it must be affordable and accessible to all European citizens and companies. affordable and accessible to all European citizens and companies.

You can find the complete document here

ACEA_job_opportunity-1024x576.png