March 6, 2025

The following is a press release:

The European Commission's Action Plan on the future of the automotive industry, presented today (5 March), falls short of acknowledging the critical role of regions in managing the transition, leaders of the Automotive Regions Alliance (ARA) have said. There must be a just and fair transformation for all EU regions, stated Guido Guidesi, ARA's chair, Valérie Debord, ARA's deputy chair, and Vasco Alves Cordeiro, chair of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).

Guido Guidesi, ARA chair and Regional Minister for Regional Development of Lombardy, said: “The official document presented today by the European Commission is, in our view, a step forward; it sends a signal to the automotive sector. The hope is that this will mark the beginning of a radical change. However, much more is needed. It is essential to further amend the Regulation to move from the constant reference to 'technological neutrality' to its actual implementation. We consider the concept of 'electric-only' to be an incredible advantage for the Chinese. Since 29 November 2024, the day Lombardy assumed the presidency of the Automotive Regions Alliance, we have fought—together with all the regions of the Alliance—in every institutional setting through constructive criticism. It has been an intense team effort, and today we see a step forward from the Commission. This teamwork must continue. We have managed to reopen the debate, and it is crucial to keep fighting to save the automotive sector.”

Valérie Debord, Vice-Chair of the ARA and Vice-President of Grand-Est, said: “We are particularly attentive to the measures proposed today by the European Commission to support the automotive industry, a strategic sector for Europe. In a particularly unstable international context, these measures were highly anticipated, as we need visibility to enable stakeholders in this sector to invest and act for its transformation. Grand Est is a region that is strongly committed to working alongside the automotive industry. As such, we remain particularly vigilant as to the impact of this plan on regional industrial networks and as to the specific characteristics of each region, which need to be taken into account in order to guarantee a fair and balanced transition for the entire automotive industry. This is why, in the months to come, we and the members of the ARA will continue to remain fully committed alongside the European Commission and other stakeholders in the automotive industry to contribute to the success of this action plan.”

Vasco Alves Cordeiro (PT/PES), Chair of the COTER commission and member of the Regional Assembly of the Azores, said: "I welcome the action plan for the future of the automotive industry, as predictability for industry is vital for achieving the 2035 and 2050 targets. However, I am concerned about the European Commission's recent announcements. Opening the door to adjustments to the end of the combustion engine by 2035 and emphasising ‘total’ technology neutrality undermines our commitment to electrifying the automotive industry and our goal of zero emissions from new cars and vans by 2035. Electrification is clearly the most cost-effective decarbonisation pathway, particularly when compared to synthetic fuels (e-fuels). To effectively address future challenges, we must uphold our agreed-upon objectives and reinforce the regional dimension of the plan."

The Automotive Regions Alliance is an effective partner in the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry, established in January by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. During a round table discussion with Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, and a high-level event with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, the ARA highlighted that a just transition requires territorial dialogue and place-based solutions, built on strong partnerships between social partners and public authorities. Regions also stressed that additional support for innovation ecosystems in automotive regions will be crucial through smart specialisation strategies and interregional cooperation along the value chain.

During the ARA annual conference on 29 November 2024, 36 participating regions of the Alliance adopted the Monza Declaration, notably reaffirming Europe’s climate ambitions and supporting the need for technology neutrality. The regions recognised the focus on electrification as a key element for decarbonisation but emphasised the need to explore alternative climate-neutral technologies to address diverse mobility needs.

Background

The Automotive Regions Alliance is an initiative of the European Committee of the Regions, consisting of 36 participating regions, that recognises the need for decisive action to achieve the EU's climate targets. It aims to bring together regions with a strong automotive sector that want to play an active role in decarbonising the transport sector and contribute to achieving the European Green Deal targets, to ensure a just transition for automotive regions.

With the adoption of the internal combustion phase-out by 2035, the Alliance has a key role to play: the European Commission is mandated to report by the end of 2025 on what budgetary resources are needed to make this transition fair for all. The legislators commit the European Commission to base its report on the work of the Automotive Regions Alliance.

Contact

Theresa Sostmann

Tel: +32475999415

Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu

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The European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 27 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 329 members and 329 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities. Click here for more details on your national delegation.