On 27 November 2024, during a speech before the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced her decision to convene a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry in Europe.

The Dialogue will officially launch this month, aiming to swiftly propose and implement the measures urgently required by the sector.

At a time when the European automotive industry and its suppliers are undergoing a profound and disruptive transition, the Strategic Dialogue will design strategies and concrete solutions to support the global competitiveness of Europe’s automotive industry.

It will focus particularly on the following aspects:

• Driving data-driven innovation and digitalisation, leveraging forward-looking technologies such as AI and autonomous driving.
• Supporting the decarbonisation of the sector with an open-technology approach, given its role in achieving Europe’s ambitious climate goals.
• Addressing employment, skills, and other social aspects of the sector.
• Simplifying and modernising the regulatory framework.
• Boosting demand, strengthening the sector’s financial resources, resilience, and value chain in an increasingly competitive international environment.

The Strategic Dialogue will bring together key stakeholders from across the sector, including European automotive companies, infrastructure providers, trade unions, business associations, parts of the automotive value chain, and other interested parties.

The formal launch, under the personal direction of the President of the European Commission, will be followed by a series of thematic meetings chaired by members of the College of Commissioners.

These meetings are expected to yield a set of recommendations that will help shape a holistic EU strategy for the sector, addressing the various challenges and, where necessary, adapting the EU regulatory framework applicable to it.

Summits, led by the President, will assess progress and provide the necessary political impetus to drive the work forward.

The Council and the European Parliament will be closely involved in the process and will be informed and consulted regarding the dialogue.

Our team remains at your disposal for further information.