Automotive industry VW and Stellantis: "Made in Europe" to strengthen the industry
The CEOs of Volkswagen and Stellantis are calling for a reorientation of industrial policy in Europe. This is in order to secure the long-term competitiveness of the domestic automotive industry.
05.02.2026, 00:26
SDA
In a joint article for "Handelsblatt" and two other European newspapers, VW CEO Oliver Blume and the CEO of Opel parent company Stellantis, Antonio Filosa, propose a "Made in Europe" strategy to ensure fair competition as well as more production and investment in the EU.
Blume and Filosa are calling for financial incentives and simplifications for electric cars manufactured in Europe. Europe's largest car manufacturers are pushing for the EU climate rules to be relaxed in favor of domestic production.
The CEOs are calling for vehicles for the EU market to be more closely linked to European production requirements. Every manufacturer selling in Europe should have to produce under comparable conditions. In addition, state subsidies should specifically support European value creation.
Binding "Made in Europe" criteria for e-cars
The consequence would be "Made in Europe" requirements for vehicles that are registered in the EU. "Made in Europe" criteria for e-cars should cover production, drive systems, battery cells and key electronic components. Vehicles that meet the criteria should receive a label and benefit from state purchase premiums or public contracts, for example.
CO2 bonus for e-cars "Made in Europe"
The managers also suggest that every e-car "Made in Europe" should receive a CO2 bonus. "And if a manufacturer meets the "Made in Europe" requirements for a large part of its fleet, such a CO2 bonus should even be recognized for all of its electric vehicles." According to Blume and Filosa, this would be an incentive to maintain production in the EU, avoid billions in fines and instead use them for much-needed investment in the single market.
No protectionist barriers
In addition to origin requirements, an "overarching industrial policy" is needed with targeted support for European battery cell production and purchase incentives for European electric vehicles.
The two CEOs emphasize that the proposed strategy should not lead to barriers: "We cannot put a protectionist fence around every workbench." Rather, the aim is to build or strengthen resilience in selected strategic components.
We are witnessing the beginning of a new era of geopolitical competition, the managers write. Trade, technology and industry are increasingly being used to assert national power interests. Europe urgently needs to decide "whether it wants to become just a market for others or remain a producer and industrial power in the future".
The sector generates around eight percent of the EU's gross domestic product and provides work for around 13 million people. The importance of the sector for prosperity and stability in the EU is correspondingly high.
Greens: car manufacturers have understood
According to Green Party leader Franziska Brantner, the European car manufacturers have shown with their contribution that they have understood: "Our economy can only be successful and resilient if we consistently think European and focus on Made in Europe." The German government is now also called upon to resolutely follow this path and finally launch a genuine European industrial policy. "We cannot afford to bury our heads in the sand any longer."
