Auto industry contributes to Council discussions on EU’s future climate and energy policy

Brussels, 19 March 2014 – Ahead of tomorrow’s European summit, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) put forward its key recommendations for Europe’s climate and energy policy. In an open letter to European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, the CEOs of Europe’s 15 major vehicle manufacturers call for greater balance between climate objectives and global competitiveness, as well as a level playing field across industries.
“Europe’s cars, vans, trucks and buses currently have the highest environmental standards in the world, and our industry is committed to further progress,” stated ACEA President and CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën, Philippe Varin. “However, greenhouse gas emission and renewable energy targets must not be set at the expense of industry’s growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace.”
Europe’s automobile industry directly or indirectly supports 13 million jobs in Europe, is responsible for €32 billion in annual R&D investment, and contributes €95.7 billion in net exports to the EU economy. “As a key pillar of Europe’s industrial base, our sector fully supports the Commission’s objective of raising industry’s contribution to GDP to 20% by 2020,” stated ACEA Secretary General, Erik Jonnaert. “If this vision is to be achieved, the EU’s industrial renaissance and climate protection must go hand-in-hand, as part of an integrated EU policy.”
In the letter, ACEA also urged political leaders to ensure equivalent targets for all industry sectors: “No other industry sector has done as much in driving down emission levels, both from its products and its production sites, as the auto sector. Looking ahead, it is important that all stakeholders contribute equally to achieving the EU’s future climate objectives.”
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 14 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/.
Contact:
- Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.auto, +32 485 88 66 47
- Ben Kennard, Content Editor and Press Manager, bk@acea.auto, +32 487 39 21 82
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About the EU automobile industry
- 12.9 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 8.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €392.2 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total