Brussels, 12 September: A Key Dialogue for the Future of the European Automotive Industry
The strategic dialogue between the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the European Commission is set to signal an urgent and pragmatic shift in the policies of EU member states to achieve the automotive industry’s decarbonization goals.
At the ongoing IAA Mobility International Motor Show in Munich, ACEA leaders and members reiterated their key messages ahead of the meeting titled “Strategic Dialogue”, scheduled for 12 September in Brussels with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Brussels meeting aims to enable a pragmatic, more flexible, and technologically neutral approach to road transport decarbonization, with a focus on meeting the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement. Rigid CO2 regulations for cars and vans need to be adjusted to reflect reality. “Being successful means meeting all of the EU’s key priorities – from economic security and industrial competitiveness to a framework that allows zero-emission vehicles to be a clear choice for citizens and businesses in all segments. You cannot have one without the other,” emphasized ACEA Secretary General Sigrid de Vries.
The automotive industry remains committed to its decarbonization targets. Tremendous effort and significant financial investment have gone into this transformation, as evidenced by the large number of new vehicle models launched to date. However, the market share of new electric passenger cars in the EU is only 15.6%, indicating that manufacturers are not satisfied. The situation for vans is even more challenging – the share of electric vehicles stands at just 8.5% and requires particular attention.
There is an urgent need to improve the conditions for manufacturers, including charging infrastructure and market incentives. All these factors must be promptly enhanced for the market to achieve the goals set by EU legislation. It is clear that three separate “lanes” are needed, with tailored policies for each segment – passenger cars, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles, ACEA stated in a press release provided to the Serbian Association of Vehicle Importers and Parts.
The current trade and economic context further emphasizes that achieving EU CO2 targets cannot be separated from strengthening industrial competitiveness and resilience. Europe remains dependent on Asian producers in the battery supply chain, while simultaneously bearing significantly higher energy and regulatory costs compared to competitors outside the EU, which hampers competitiveness. The industrial and market perspective for technologies accelerating the transition should be reintroduced, with special recognition for small-scale and efficient electric vehicle production.
ACEA members are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, as the decisions made will shape not only the path to reducing CO2 in EU road transport but also economic security and social cohesion for decades to come. Last week, ACEA’s Commercial Vehicles Committee reiterated the call for a “critical acceleration of the creation of conditions” that will allow the 2030 targets in this segment to be met.
Alongside ACEA, other manufacturers and associations forming the EU industrial system are involved in the dialogue, all emphasizing that they seek nothing more than equal or similar conditions for fair market competition as enjoyed by their competitors. The Brussels dialogue on 12 September 2025 is seen by many as one of the last opportunities for EU vehicle manufacturers to spread their sails and navigate more smoothly through the turbulent waters of the transition.
Source: ACEA
Photo: AI
English
Serbian
