The auo industry urges better green trnasition. As the European Council Summit approaches, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is reiterating its call for accelerated action to protect the EU’s industrial base during the green transition.
ACEA President and Renault Group CEO, Luca de Meo, expressed concern over Europe’s automotive industry losing its technological edge to competitors in China and the US amid eroding EU competitiveness. He urged for accelerated fleet renewal as the most effective way to reduce CO2 and pollutant emissions.
Sigrid de Vries, ACEA Director General, criticized the recent Euro 7 proposal on pollutant emissions, claiming it would add complexity and uncertainty to European vehicle manufacturers’ decisions without delivering substantial environmental benefits. ACEA estimates the proposal could increase new car prices by an average of €2,000, potentially leading to consumers holding onto older, less environmentally friendly vehicles.
De Meo called for a focus on improving air quality in urban areas, adhering to subsidiarity and proportionality principles, to address the issue more effectively.