"Today’s Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry in Brussels has once again shown that the EU Commission is identifying the enormous challenges facing the industry—but is still acting too indecisively and not strategically enough.

At the IAA MOBILITY in Munich, it is impressive to see how our companies are paving the way for climate-neutral and digital mobility with record investments and impressive vehicles.

The supply is there, but high energy prices, the slow expansion of charging infrastructure in Europe, and uncertainties regarding incentives are hampering demand. Rigid CO₂ regulation jeopardizes competitiveness and thus the transformation of the entire industry. Our companies made this abundantly clear again today. The EU must deliver now—and the solutions and options are all on the table. The EU cannot afford further hesitation and procrastination if it wants to maintain growth, prosperity, and jobs within our continent.

Clarity must be established at the next Strategic Dialogue in December. We need to compare the goals with reality. We welcome that the reviews will be brought forward to the end of this year—it can provide a basis for the necessary decisions. The relevant working groups will have to analyze and evaluate the facts on energy prices, raw material supplies, the development and expansion of charging infrastructure, and many other indicators.

This inevitably creates a need for action regarding framework conditions and the flexibility of technical options. Adjusting the CO2 fleet regulation's reduction target to –90% by 2035 remains crucial."