The European Commission wants to conduct a strategic dialogue with the European automotive industry. The aim in doing so is to revitalise the European car industry. RAI Association calls on participants in the European summit to ensure that the dialogue boosts the competitiveness of the automotive sector.
The kick-off of the strategic dialogue between manufacturers, suppliers, social partners and several European Commissioners, among others, took place at the end of last week. The consultations are led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The European Commission wants to secure the future of the automotive industry, while ensuring that steps are taken towards sustainability.
The strategic dialogue should lead to an 'Industrial Action Plan'. The presentation of this plan is scheduled for Wednesday 5 March, Von der Leyen has announced.
'Getting nails in the coffin'
RAI Association is pleased that issues in the European automotive sector are being discussed at European level. Chairman Frits van Bruggen: "Good that discussions are now taking place at the highest level in the EU. It is important to take action as soon as possible. Increasing competition, the risk of import duties and more and more regulations have a paralysing effect. We have to break through that."
RAI Association points out that the stakes are also high for the Netherlands. For instance, the Netherlands is a major player in the sector. Not only as a major producer of heavy commercial vehicles, but also as a supplier of both knowledge and components for car and automotive factories in Germany, among others. In addition, Dutch suppliers and innovators play an important role in battery technology, vehicle software and smart mobility solutions.
'Dutch politicians must feel the same urgency'
"This is about many jobs and great economic importance. In our European capital Brussels, in the US and in Germany, the future of the car industry is now 'chefsache'. Mario Draghi's alarming report on the EU's competitiveness - especially against China and the US - has played an important role in this. From The Hague, however, it is very quiet. It would be good if Dutch politicians start feeling the same urgency," Van Bruggen argues.
RAI Association wants the cabinet and the Lower House to carry more weight in the European context. The cabinet should be more explicit about the importance of a competitive, innovative and sustainable automotive sector, according to the association. It should therefore be directly involved in the strategic dialogue and work towards more intensive cooperation with other frontrunners such as Germany, France and Sweden.
'Cabinet must step up its commitment to sustainable mobility and manufacturing innovation'
RAI Association also wants the government to increase its commitment to companies investing in sustainable mobility and manufacturing innovation. It warns that if this commitment is not made, the Netherlands risks missing out on investments as other countries such as Germany, France and the US apply more favourable conditions.
It points to the Netherlands' strong position in battery technology and electric driving, partly due to the presence of Brainport Eindhoven, the Automotive Campus and knowledge institutes such as TNO and TU Delft. RAI Vereniging asks the government to make structural investments in these developments and charging infrastructure, solve bottlenecks around grid congestion as soon as possible and improve access to European innovation funds.
ACEA: 'Government must commit to green transition'
Sigrid de Vries, Director-General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), also emphasises that the government must commit to the green transition. “Car manufacturers want this, but obstacles must be removed first,” De Vries told BNR.
De Vries points to the European regulations, which stipulate that new cars entering the European market must not emit CO2 from 2035 onwards. De Vries: "We need to widen the path to ultimately meet the target."
CO2 penalties
European carmakers have long been concerned about fines they risk being imposed as carmakers' green transition disappoints. Many carmakers appear to be failing to meet tougher CO2 emission targets, which could lead to sky-high fines. Manufacturers hope not to face these fines. De Vries stressed that the industry wants to continue the green transition, also pointing to the investments that have already been made. "We have already invested 250 billion in electrification. If the EU wants the transition to succeed, we need help," the ACEA director general told BNR.
At the European level in particular, there is still too little enthusiasm for European-made electric cars, according to De Vries. "There is interest, but at the European level it is still disappointing," De Vries said.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
