The European Union wants to manufacture “the cars of the future”, and continues to focus on electric mobility, with the president of the Commission stating her commitment to “not letting China” conquer the automotive market.
With more and more Chinese brands betting on expansion in Europe, especially riding on electric or electrified models at competitive prices, the president of the European Commission now seems determined to prevent China from taking over the automotive market.
“The future of cars and the models of the future must be built in Europe”, said Ursula von der Leyen during her speech at the European Parliament (EP), as part of the State of the Union debate, which took place in Strasbourg, France.
The automotive industry is responsible for “millions of jobs,” is “a European pride,” and a “pillar of the economy and industry” of the 27 EU countries, commented Ursula von der Leyen. “Millions of Europeans want to buy affordable European cars, so we should invest in small and affordable cars, both for the EU market and to respond to the growing global demand”, commented the president of the European Commission, announcing an initiative to boost this industry, which she did not specify.
The goal, she explained, is to create an electric car that is simultaneously environmentally friendly, efficient, lightweight, accessible to all, and European. In this way, the Commission aims to support the production of low-cost small electric cars to meet the growing demand for more economical alternatives.
Recall that in May, the chairman of the board of directors of Stellantis, John Elkann, and the former CEO of Renault, Luca de Meo, requested the European Union to adopt more favorable rules for small and more affordable cars, warning that the decline in profits from these vehicles could force the closure of car production units in Europe.
