The automotive industry in the new EU Member States – Key to the EU economy
The new EU member states host 17% of EU car production and this share is growing. The automotive industry is now as important for these countries as it already was to the EU-15.
Engine of the economy
The New EU Member States host 17% of EU car production and this share is growing. As in the rest of the EU, the automotive industry is the engine of the economy in these countries, featuring high levels of investment & employment, elevated R&D expenditure, state revenues and export shares.To retain this strength, EU governments and the European vehicle industry have to work together.
With overall economic circumstances currently deteriorating sharply, it is all the more important to ensure a supportive regulatory framework, in particular concerning environmental requirements that typically involve high levels of investment over a longer period of time. Governments can help sustain Research & Development programmes and take action to boost consumer confidence and renew the EU car fleet.
The new member governments’ support for a holistic way of policy making in Brussels is truly essential. This is why the Permanent Representation of Romania to the EU and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) have jointly organised a special event on 4 November 2008, with the clear aim of raising awareness about the importance of the automotive sector in Europe. The role of the New EU Member States was of special focus.
Notes for editors
- ACEA Press Release: New EU member states promote integrated policy-making as the way forward to improving environmental protection and road safety
- New Member States Event 2007
Country profiles (11/2008)
Presentations
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
