Brussels, 25\/02\/2009 \u2013 The European automobile manufacturers call on the European Commission and EU member states to urgently deploy measures to help the auto industry through the current financial and economic crisis.<\/p>\n
\u2018The EU has started filling a toolbox with potential instruments but too little of them have been actually
\nput into use due to time-consuming procedures and a lack of guidance at EU level\u201d, said Ivan Hodac,
\nsecretary general of the automobile industry\u2019s trade association ACEA. The most pressing issue to
\nresolve remains the limited access to credit due to the non-functioning of the financial market. Other
\nimmediate needs include fleet renewal incentives and the postponement of further costly regulation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe EU must show its ability to act in times of crisis. EU leaders, at their summit this weekend,
\nshould give the political message to lift bureaucratic barriers and speed up implementation. A
\ncoordinated European policy would not only ensure more fairness and respect for EU competition rules
\nbut – more importantly – greater efficiency in a single, European market\u201d, added Hodac.<\/p>\n
The Communication on the European automotive industry, presented today in Brussels by the
\nEuropean Commission, is a welcome step. \u201cThe paper clearly shows the need for urgent action and lists
\nvarious options. What we now ask is to add an early deadline to each suggested measure.\u201d The paper
\nalso emphasises the importance of the CARS21 process, a tested framework for dialogue between the
\nindustry, EU policy makers and other stakeholders. \u201cCARS21 is proving its value as an early-warning
\nmechanism for developments that affect the European automobile industry\u2019s strength and
\ncompetitiveness\u201d, said Hodac. \u201cWe fully support today\u2019s recommendation to weigh up the costs and
\nbenefits of any new legislative initiative and to avoid creating new economic burdens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Necessary measures<\/strong> Support is vital<\/strong> Supporting the industry through the downturn will protect a sector that is vital to the wider European Every job within one of the vehicle manufacturers provides at least another five at vehicle-parts *Nota de prensa en viada por ACEA, Asociaci\u00f3n Europea de Fabricantes de Auotm\u00f3viles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brussels, 25\/02\/2009 \u2013 The European automobile manufacturers call on the European Commission and EU member states to urgently deploy measures to help the auto industry through the current financial and economic crisis. \u2018The EU has started filling a toolbox with potential instruments but too little of them have been actually put into use due to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3915],"tags":[210,471,7993],"class_list":["post-1065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-teletransporte","tag-acea","tag-ayudas","tag-economia"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nAutomakers have called for urgent and drastic measures to prevent a prolonged period of recession, to
\nsupport manufacturing and continue to drive forward the environmental goals that are shared by policy
\nmakers and manufacturers. In short, the automotive industry asks the EU to:
\n\u2022 Ensure a level playing field by coordinating support measures
\n\u2022 Improve access to liquidity by allowing state guarantees for low-interest loans and provide lowcost
\nfunding
\n\u2022 Increase European Investment Bank (EIB) funding to 40 billion EUR, a more rapid validation
\nof projects (2-3 weeks instead of 2-3 months), a higher level of EIB intervention (75% instead of
\n50%)
\n\u2022 Stimulate demand through measures such as market incentives, fleet renewal schemes including
\nvehicle scrappage, public spending on infrastructure
\n\u2022 Relieve the cost of temporary unemployment and\/or training in production downtime through
\nthe EU Social Fund and Globalisation Adjustment Fund
\n\u2022 Safeguard the competitiveness of the industry by, among others, postponing costly new
\nregulation and ensuring that newly negotiated free trade agreements are balanced.<\/p>\n
\nNew ACEA data shows that vehicle production declined by 28% in the last quarter of 2008, almost
\n10%-point more than estimated, resulting in a 7% cutback for the year 2008. Anticipating a further
\ndecrease of the markets in Europe and around the world, ACEA expects European vehicle production
\nin 2009 to decline by at least 15%, which inevitably puts further massive pressure on costs and
\nemployment.<\/p>\n
\neconomy. The auto industry is a technology leader and the largest private investor in R&D in the EU.
\nTwelve million Europeans rely on the automotive industry for their jobs, 2.2 million directly in
\nmanufacturing quality products for home and international markets. Vehicle production takes place in
\naround 250 production sites in 18 EU countries, with the additional large automotive industry supply
\nchain being present in all EU member states.<\/p>\n
\nsuppliers, other equipment producers, car dealers, repair workshops and other vehicle-related activities.
\nIn countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Slovakia or the Czech Republic, the ratio is at least
\ndouble as high. In addition, the auto industry generates activity and employment in sales & finance,
\nrepair & maintenance, the energy and transport sectors, and many more.<\/p>\n