About: Automotive Industry

Coronavirus could hurt German economy due to its reliance on China

Since the coronavirus outbreak started, the Chinese economy has begun to suffer. As a result, Germany, and particularly its car industry, could also lose out as China is its most important trading partner. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Does Germany depend too much on China?

While US President Donald Trump is taking aggressive action against China's trade policy, the German government is reluctant to comment on the recent events in Hong Kong because the German economy needs China. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Germany’s slowing growth is penalising the whole of Europe

The European train is slowing down as one of its main drivers, the German economy, is experiencing a slowdown. At the same time, job creation across the EU is declining. EURACTIV's partner Euroefe reports.

Trade associations lag behind companies on climate action – report

More and more companies are transitioning to climate-friendly business practices. But a study by the British think tank InfluenceMap shows that trade associations representing them in Brussels are lagging behind. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European drivers may be wary of cars that stop them from speeding

Fully automated driving may be years away, but a new EU law being debated by legislators would mandate some semi-autonomous features in new cars, such as intelligent speed assistance. And the auto industry is worried about driver backlash.

Don’t let European carmakers lose the race to electrification

Stronger clean car standards and electric vehicle (EV) incentives will help Europe’s automakers remain competitive in the rapidly electrifying global market, writes Ashok Jhunjhunwala.

Germany’s emissions fiasco – time to get priorities straight

As courts continue to order diesel bans in major cities, the German government needs to stop bending over backwards to protect industry, argue Hermann Ott and Jürgen Resch.

China dwarfs Europe on EV investments, figures show

European carmakers have invested seven times more in electric vehicle production lines in China than at home, according to industry figures collected by Transport & Environment (T&E), a green campaign group.

Europe must regain the lead in clean automotive innovation

The EU must adopt policies that put European manufacturers on the right track to compete with the global shift to low carbon transport, writes Andrey Kovatchev.

Connected cars – Driving SME competition through direct data access

Digital devices have already transformed the way of life. Now, with automated transport on the horizon, will it be possible to sustain a vibrant landscape of competitive automotive SMEs in Europe in the future? Sylvia Gotzen provides an insight.

Access to car data – the new battleground that risks consumer choice

Ahead of the 20 February vote in the TRAN Committee on the draft report on a European strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems access to vehicle data, Laurianne Krid takes a look at the issues facing motorists with regard to the automotive digital economy.  

Commission urges carmakers to ‘behave more ethically’

The European Union on Monday (5 February) urged carmakers to "behave more ethically" and responsibly, following a scandal over diesel emissions, and revelations of diesel exhaust tests on monkeys and humans.

Diesel to petrol shift poses ‘serious challenge’ to CO2 reduction

Falling demand for diesel-powered cars is having a “brutal” impact on carmakers while the EU’s CO2 reduction policy is jeopardising a fragile recovery in sales, the president of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) told reporters on Wednesday (31 January).

EU car lobby chief: Why we support a 20% CO2 target for 2030

There is “no way” carmakers can hit the EU’s proposed CO2 emission targets with fuel combustion engines, argues Erik Jonnaert, saying “at least half” of the reduction will have to come from electric and hybrid vehicles.

Socialists float 40% emission cut for cars in Europe by 2030

The centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) faction in the European Parliament are gearing up for a fight over EU car emission standards for 2030, floating a 40% cut in CO2 and suggesting a radical change in the way emissions are measured in the first place.

EU to launch legal case against Italy over Fiat emissions

The European Union will launch legal action against Italy on Wednesday (17 May) for failing to police allegations of emissions-test cheating by Fiat Chrysler properly following the Volkswagen dieselgate scandal, EU sources said.

Rethinking the cost of conventionally fueled road transport

If the human health costs from air pollution were to be accounted and paid for by the fossil car industry, we would see the price tag of conventional cars double, writes Teodora Serafimova.

VW software scandal: Chief apologises for breaking public trust

Volkswagen has ordered an external investigation after US regulators found that the carmaker designed software for close to half a million diesel cars that gave false emissions data, its CEO said, adding he was “deeply sorry” for the violation of US rules.

EU truck safety and efficiency law faces delay until 2019

A European Union law agreed late on Wednesday (10 December) to make trucks safer and more aerodynamic, cutting fuel bills, emissions and improving safety, will be delayed by around five years, after the industry pushed for more time to develop new vehicles.

France and Sweden delay the introduction of safer trucks

France and Sweden are trying to delay the entry into force of an EU law that will make trucks safer and more fuel-efficient, according to a document seen by EURACTIV.

Commission to help Belgian Ford workers get new jobs

On 22 August, the European Commission proposed funding for redundant car workers in Belgium’s Ford factory to acquire new skills and find new jobs. Based in the Flemish city of Genk, the workers were told in October 2012 that they would be laid off in 2014.