In a joint interview for Le Figaro, our leaders, John Elkann, Executive Chairman of Stellantis, and Luca de Meo, Chief Executive Officer of Renault Group, issue a warning: the European automotive industry is at a critical turning point. Faced with a constantly declining market (-18% since 2019) and regulations that make vehicles more complex and more expensive, we are calling for a radical and urgent revision of the European industrial decarbonization strategy. “2025 is a pivotal moment. The Chinese market will overtake those of Europe and the United States combined. Europe must choose whether it wants to remain a land of automotive industry or just a market.” warns John Elkann.
in Renault Group / Stellantis, 07-05-2025
Luca de Meo points out: “European rules mean our cars are becoming increasingly complex, increasingly heavy, increasingly expensive, and most people simply can no longer afford them. What we are asking for is differentiated regulation for small cars.”
Beyond regulatory simplification, we stress the need for a strong European industrial policy, in the face of the rise of other world regions. These other regions are equipping themselves with powerful strategies to defend their automotive industries. We are calling for technological neutrality, taking into account the existing vehicle fleet and the specific features of small vehicles, and to think in terms of the complete life cycle of vehicles for truly effective decarbonization.
Does Europe want to remain a land of automotive industry? Or does it want to become just a market?
