Automobile CEOs call on EU policy makers to deliver on competitiveness and investment pledge
Paris, 3 October 2014 – At its meeting on the side-lines of the Paris Motor Show today, the Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) formally welcomed the European Commission President’s pledge to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and to stimulate investment for the purpose of job creation.
Quoting figures from ACEA’s newly-published Automobile Industry Pocket Guide 2014-2015, ACEA President Carlos Ghosn stated: “Europe’s automobile industry supports 12.7 million jobs, is responsible for €32.3 billion in annual R&D investment, has a turnover of €843.4 billion – or 6.6% of EU GDP. It contributes €95.1 billion in net exports and over €388.8 billion in tax contributions to the EU economy.”
“ACEA will be working constructively with Europe’s new policy makers to ensure that it can deliver on its pledges, and that it can keep the automotive industry running as Europe’s engine of growth and innovation while ensuring it can stay competitive globally,” Mr Ghosn said.
“We are looking forward to the creation of a more balanced and smarter regulatory environment in Europe which allows our companies to continue innovating under more cost-effective conditions, thereby maintaining and further strengthening the technological leadership and standard-setting role our industry has traditionally played globally.”
“More specifically we believe that stronger sector-focused strategies will be needed to support the Commission’s Jobs, Growth and Investment Package.”
ACEA’s Board is made up of the CEOs of the 15 Europe-based car, van, truck and bus manufacturers. Meeting on the final day of the seventh round of EU-US negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement, the CEOs also reiterated their support for TTIP, calling for a comprehensive automotive deal, which includes the elimination of both tariffs and non-tariff barriers through regulatory convergence.
ACEA’s Pocket Guide compiles the latest data on vehicle production, registration, use and taxation, as well as employment and trade.
Notes for editors
- The members of ACEA’s Board of Directors are listed here: http://www.acea.be/about-acea/how-we-are-organised/board-of-directors.
- The new Automobile Industry Pocket Guide 2014-2015 is available at: http://www.acea.be/publications/article/acea-pocket-guide or from communications@acea.be.
- ACEA’s Manifesto for a Competitive European Automobile Industry is available at: http://www.acea.be/publications/article/a-manifesto-for-a-competitive-european-automobile-industry.
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, Jaguar Land Rover, 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.
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About the EU automobile industry
- 13.0 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 11.5% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €374.6 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €79.5 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Almost 8% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €58.8 billion in R&D spending annually, 32% of EU total
