Future of the European Automotive Industry: Strategic Dialogue to start in January

On 27 November 2024, in a speech to the European Parliament, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced her decision to convene a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry in Europe. The Dialogue will be officially launched already in January 2025, with a view to swiftly proposing and implementing measures the sector urgently needs.

Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said: The automotive industry is a European pride and is crucial for Europe’s prosperity. It drives innovation, supports millions of jobs, and is the largest private investor in research and development. Each sector has unique needs, and it is our responsibility to tailor solutions that are both clean and competitive. We need to support this industry in the deep and disruptive transition ahead. And we must ensure that the future of cars remains firmly rooted in Europe. This is why I have called for a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Car Industry. We will launch this Dialogue already in January, to shape together our shared future.

As the European automotive and supplier industry goes through a deep and disruptive transition, the Strategic Dialogue will design concrete strategies and solutions to support the global competitiveness of automotive manufacturing in Europe. It will focus in particular on:

• boosting data-driven innovation and digitalisation, based on forward-looking technologies such as AI and autonomous driving.
• supporting the sector’s decarbonisation, in an open technological approach, given its role in achieving Europe’s ambitious climate goals.
• addressing jobs, skills, and other social elements in the sector.
• simplifying and modernizing the regulatory framework.
• increasing demand, strengthening the financial resources of the sector and its resilience and value chain in an increasingly competitive international environment.

The Strategic Dialogue brings together key stakeholders from across the industry, including European automotive companies, infrastructure providers, trade unions and business associations, as well as parts of the automotive value chain and other stakeholders.The formal launch, under the President’s personal leadership, will be followed by a series of thematic meetings, chaired by Members of the College.These meetings will result in a set of recommendations that help build a holistic EU strategy for the sector to manage the various challenges and where needed adapt the applicable EU regulatory framework accordingly. Summit meetings, led by the President, will check on progress made and give the necessary political impulses for further work.The Council and European Parliament will be closely involved in the process and will be regularly informed and consulted on the Dialogue.