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Commission’s automotive dialogue risks failing before it even begins

The European Commission’s Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry, announced last year by President Ursula von der Leyen and scheduled to commence on 30 January, has already sparked widespread concerns over its credibility and inclusivity.

Although intended as a collaborative effort to address a crisis in one of Europe’s most vital industries, the initiative is criticised for failing to adequately represent the sector’s diversity and challenges.

ECR Coordinator in the Environment Committee, Alexandr Vondra said:

“The exclusion of key players in the European automotive value chain, such as small and medium-sized manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators, sends a troubling signal.

“Instead, the guest list prioritises CEOs of major car manufacturers, predominantly from Germany and France, alongside companies with significant third-country ownership, such as Tesla, Volvo, and non-governmental groups like T&E (Transport & Environment). These choices raise doubts about the Commission’s seriousness in tackling the industrial crisis with the urgency and breadth it demands.”

According to Mr Vondra, this lack of representation ignores the complex ecosystem that sustains Europe’s automotive sector, excluding critical contributors to broader industrial resilience. Moreover, allowing companies with strong non-European ownership to play a prominent role in discussions on Europe’s industrial strategy heightens suspicions about the Commission’s priorities.

Mr Vondra continued: “This is a critical moment for the European automotive sector, yet the Commission’s approach feels out of touch and incomplete. How can we expect meaningful solutions when the majority of the sector—particularly SMEs and suppliers—is left out of the conversation?

“Europe’s future depends on serious leadership, not on meetings shaped by narrow interests and external influences.

“This is no time for half-measures or cosmetic fixes. The automotive sector is the backbone of Europe’s industrial strength and must not be treated as an afterthought.

“By sidelining key voices and inviting third-country interests to shape the debate, the Commission risks jeopardising Europe’s competitiveness and betraying its own industrial ambitions. President von der Leyen must act now to restore confidence, or this so-called dialogue will become nothing more than a missed opportunity at a time when Europe cannot afford to fail.”

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