Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A statement issued by the European Commission in Brussels said that as President Ursula von der Leyen announced before the European Parliament on 27 November 2024, the European Commission will launch a strategic dialogue with European car manufacturers, social partners and other key stakeholders on 30 January. This initiative underscores the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the future of a sector vital to European prosperity, while advancing its climate and broader societal goals.
According to the European statement, the Commission recognizes the urgent need to take action to safeguard the European car industry and give it a future within the European Union. Under the leadership of President von der Leyen, the strategic dialogue aims to engage industry players, social partners and stakeholders to collaboratively understand the challenges, develop solutions and take concrete action. Within the Commission, Commissioner Tzitzikostas has been tasked with developing an action plan for the sector, which will benefit from these discussions.
President von der Leyen will chair the Strategic Dialogue, which will consist of regular meetings bringing together industry representatives (manufacturers and suppliers), social partners, commissioners and other stakeholders, including from civil society. Thematic working groups will then come up with detailed proposals. Broader consultations will also take place 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 discussion points will include innovation, clean transformation, decarbonisation, competitiveness and resilience, trade relations, international “level playing field”, simplification of regulations and optimisation of processes. More information can be found in the attached concept note that will guide the discussions in the Strategic Dialogue.

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

The automotive industry, a cornerstone of the European economy, employs more than 13 million people and contributes around 7% to the EU’s GDP. However, this crucial industry is facing a period of major transformation, driven by digital transformation, decarbonization, increased competition and a changing geopolitical landscape. These factors are challenging the established strengths of European carmakers. To ensure the future competitiveness of the industry, the European Commission is launching a strategic dialogue. This initiative aims to develop and implement collaborative solutions to preserve the global position of the industry.