Third Strategic Dialogue on automotive convened: bold and fast action required

Brussels, 12 September 2025 - ACEA welcomes the clear focus of today's third Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry on the structural challenges facing both the sector and Europe as a whole.

"We agree with the Commission President that bold and fast action is required", stated Ola Källenius, ACEA President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz. "No one has more at stake in the success of zero-emission mobility than Europe's automakers. A thriving Europe needs us, and we need a thriving Europe."

Most urgently, concrete steps are needed to make the CO2 policy framework for cars and vans fit for reality. "We are in this open and constructive dialogue to find a better way to green", said Källenius. "We may not have cleared all differences yet, nor have the answers to all challenges. But we are positive to see the solution space is broadening, and confident the work of the next months will yield results. Europe simply has to deliver on all accounts: decarbonisation, competitiveness and supply chain resilience."

The Commission recognised action is needed in three lanes: passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty vehicles. In all these three sectors of road transport, electrification will be the dominant path to zero-emission. Doubling down on demand measures and enabling conditions, such as cheap energy and abundant charging infrastructure, therefore remains a prerequisite to make this systemic transition a success.

Furthermore, industrial and market perspective for technologies that help accelerate the transition should be reintroduced, and special recognition given to manufacturing small and efficient electric cars. The market situation for vans, with an electric share at just 8.5%, is also critical and needs dedicated attention too.

Trucks and buses represent just 3.5% of battery electric registrations today, as the supporting framework lags behind: Megawatt charging, grid capacity and purchase incentives remain underdeveloped, holding back progress in one of the hardest-to-abate sectors.

"Truck and bus makers are committed to Europe's green transition: the vehicles are ready, but the enabling conditions are not" stated Christian Levin, CEO of Traton Group and Scania. "Further to today's meeting we had a constructive exchange yesterday as well with Commissioners Hoekstra, Tzitzikostas and Jørgensen. We appreciate their recognition that our sector faces distinct challenges requiring dedicated attention, and we look forward to swiftly working together on urgent, tailored measures in a short-term follow-up meeting".

Industry leaders indeed argue that the EU cannot afford to wait until 2027 to review CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles. Instead, urgent monitoring and action are needed to put road freight on track for climate neutrality.

In the margins of the Dialogue, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Commission and key stakeholders to promote synergies between different innovation programmes. ACEA welcomes the intent to develop a Joint Undertaking for Automotive Research and Innovation, and stresses the importance of direct company involvement in the creation and steering of this Joint Undertaking from the beginning.

About ACEA

• The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
• Visit https://www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on https://www.x.com/ACEA_auto or https://www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/

Contact:

• Camille Lamarque, Policy Communications Officer, [email protected], +32 (0) 2 738 73 16

About the EU automobile industry

• 13.2 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
• 10.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
• €383.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments
• €106.7 billion trade surplus for the European Union
• Over 7.5% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
• €72.8 billion in R&D spending annually, 33% of EU total