The French and European automobile industry is in crisis. And France is counting on Brussels to defend and revive it. The sector was at the heart of the debates of the EU “competitiveness council” which was held this Thursday in the Belgian capital. This meeting, which brought together Marc Ferracci, the Minister of Industry, and his European counterparts, certainly did not produce a common text. But France believes that its idea of a “emergency plan” for the automobile is now widely agreed upon. “This plan has received fairly broad approval”welcomed Marc Ferracci after leaving the council.
The minister is campaigning so that car manufacturers “who have made efforts to develop the electric car” will not be subject to fines next year. European regulations provide for sanctions if sales of battery-powered vehicles are not there. “We have requested a targeted adaptation of the European framework so that the fines due for the year 2025 are not paid”indicates the Ministry of Industry. He recalls that France remains committed to the objective of a ban on sales of thermal vehicles in 2035. Marc Ferracci also wants the EU to further support demand for electric cars, in particular via measures to accelerate greening. corporate fleets.
A “work of conviction”
Its services consider that the “work of conviction” of France with other countries has paid off. “In the final stretch of the competitiveness council, we have had favorable expressions from Italy, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Slovakiaindicates the Ministry of Industry. While Sweden indicated that it was opposed to any changes to the rules, it was very much in favor of supporting demand. »
Clearly, the French position is now “majority” on the Old Continent, the ministry rejoices. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has, it is true, taken good note of this. This Wednesday, she promised before parliament a “strategic dialogue” on the future of the automobile. The president of the commission also indicated that she would lead “herself” these exchanges.
Brussels reviews its position
The European Commission says, clearly, that it is now open to debate. This was not the case a month and a half ago, when France announced at the Paris Motor Show its firm opposition to fines for car manufacturers. At the time, an EU spokesperson immediately declared that it was not “not the time” to reopen these discussions. The avalanche of social plans faced by the automobile industry has also convinced Brussels to review its position.
The ball is now in the court of the European Commission. His proposals to get the automobile industry out of the crisis are eagerly awaited. Bercy hopes “a communication” by the end of the year. And not later. If the sword of Damocles of fines remains in 2025, this will not be without consequences for car manufacturers. At the Paris Motor Show, Luca de Meo, the boss of Renault, indicated that he would then have no other choice than to integrate this perspective into his 2025 budget, via “provisions”. “You take money, you put it in the fridge, and you don’t put it in the business”he got annoyed. Bercy, for its part, promises to “continue to mobilize” in Brussels.
