European Commission: starting a strategic dialogue aimed at shaping the future of the automotive industry

European Commission: starting a strategic dialogue aimed at shaping the future of the automotive industry

ECG — 2025-01-21

News from ECG

On 30 January, the European Commission will initiate a strategic dialogue aimed at shaping the future of the automotive industry. The objective of the Commission is to safeguard the future of a sector vital to European prosperity, while advancing its climate goals and broader societal objectives.

ECG – the Association of European Vehicle Logistics, will actively monitor these discussions. Our member companies are making significant investments despite facing massive challenges as a consequence of the period of deep transformation of the European automotive industry,” said Frank Schnelle, Executive Director of ECG.

We depend on the long-term vision of political decision-makers to establish conditions that enable our members to continue investing to cope with the current transformation,” Schnelle added.

This initiative underscores the urgent need for action to safeguard an industry that directly employs over 13 m people and contributes around 7% to the EU’s GDP. The European Commission acknowledges the complexities of this transitional period, marked by digitalization, decarbonization, heightened competition, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will spearhead the dialogue, hosting regular meetings with key stakeholders, including industry representatives, OEMs, suppliers, partners, and commissioners. Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Tzitzikostas will be in charge of developing an action plan. The initiative will include the formation of working groups to address critical topics such as:

  • Innovations and technological advancements
  • Clean energy transitions and decarbonization
  • Competitiveness and industry resilience
  • Trade relations and maintaining a global “level playing field”
  • Regulatory simplification and process optimization

The strategic dialogue is a decisive step in supporting the automotive sector during this era of profound transformation while aligning with Europe’s broader environmental and economic goals.