Commission launches new initiatives with industry to boost Europe’s Automotive leadership

Last September 12, President Ursula von der Leyen chaired the third Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry, bringing together the European automotive industry, social partners, and other stakeholders in Brussels. The meeting reaffirmed the need to act fast to implement the Automotive Action Plan. As technology transforms mobility and geopolitics reshapes global competition, there can be no business as usual.

Led by President von der Leyen, key discussions focused, amongst others, on securing Europe’s leadership in electric vehicles, accelerating innovation in autonomous and connected vehicles, and strengthening European battery manufacturing industry. The Commission is safeguarding European companies against unfair competition, improving access to critical raw materials, and supporting workers through reskilling. 

On innovation, Commissioners Ekaterina Zaharieva and Apostolos Tzitzikostas signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with stakeholders to accelerate Automotive Research and Innovation at the EU level, aiming to position Europe as a leader in sustainable and smart mobility by 2035 and beyond. The MoU unites the 2Zero Partnership (focusing on zero-emission road transport), the CCAM Partnership (Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility), and the BATT4EU Partnership (battery value chain innovation) with their key stakeholders and industry representatives to address the automotive sector’s strategic needs.

The next two years are decisive to gain technological leadership in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Enhanced cooperation and coordination of investment priorities are crucial to developing European-build software, hardware, AI models and autonomous driving ecosystems. European Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Alliance (ECAVA),  launched during the Strategic Dialogue, will serve as a forum for setting a shared industry agenda. Executive-Vice President Henna Virkkunen will convene the first meeting in late October to kick off the work.

The dialogue also allowed the European Automotive Industry, social partners and other key stakeholders to provide input on upcoming Commission initiatives, including the review of the Regulation on the CO2 emission performance standards of cars and vans, the proposal on corporate fleets, regulatory simplification for passenger cars, as well as light commercial and heavy duty vehicles. Participants reviewed the implementation of the Action Plan, launched in March 2025, and assessed progress towards a thriving European automotive industry and a successful clean mobility transition.

Background

President von der Leyen launched the Strategic Dialogue on the future of the automotive industry in January 2025 to address profound changes in the automotive sector. The European Automotive Industry faces a rapidly evolving environment with new technologies and increased competition, alongside geopolitical uncertainties. Previous dialogues with President von der Leyen took place on 30 January 2025 and on 3 March 2025.

On 5 March 2025, the Commission introduced an Action Plan building on the Strategic Dialogue, detailing concrete actions to ensure a robust and sustainable automotive sector and help unleash its innovative power. The Action Plan is the result of an inclusive and collaborative process, which involved multiple discussions and stakeholder engagement initiated through the Strategic Dialogue. The plan also drew on insights from an open public consultation on the future of the European automotive industry, as well as the work of several working groups led by Commissioners Šefčovič, Hoekstra, Séjourné, Virkkunen, Mînzatu and Tzitzikostas.

More information: European Commission