The European Commission starts a Strategic Dialogue with European car industrythe social partners and other key stakeholders on January 30, as announced by the President Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament on 27 November 2024. This initiative highlights the Commission’s commitment to securing the future of a sector vital to European prosperity, while advancing its climate goals as well as its wider social goals.

The Commission recognizes the urgent need for action to protect the European car industry and secure its future within the European Union. Under the leadership of President von der Leyen, the Strategic Dialogue aims to bring industry, social partners and stakeholders together to understand challenges, develop solutions and take concrete action. In the context of the Commission, the Commissioner Mr. Tzitzikostas has been tasked with drawing up an action plan for the sector, which will benefit from these discussions.

The Strategic Dialogue will be chaired by the President Mrs. von der Leyen and will be structured in regular meetings involving industry representatives (manufacturers, suppliers), social partners, Commissioners and other stakeholders, including civil society. Thematic working groups will then submit detailed proposals. There will also be wider consultations with other stakeholders across the industry, as well as other parts of the automotive value chain. The Council and the European Parliament will be closely involved throughout the process.

Key points of discussion will be innovation, clean transition and decarbonisation, competitiveness and resilience, trade relations and the international level playing field, as well as regulatory streamlining and process optimization. More information can be found in the key concepts document, on which the discussions in the Strategic Dialogue will be based.

The European Commission is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure the long-term competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the European automotive industry. The Strategic Dialogue is a crucial step in achieving this goal.

George Felidis