Vice-president of the European Commission Antonio Tajani has convened an informal meeting of EU industry ministers to discuss the situation facing the European automotive industry.
Commissioner Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship, set an agenda that explored short term measures put in place for the sector as well as a medium term strategy for recovery. Ministers agreed that EU support measures and targeted use of financial instruments such at European Investment Bank loans and structural funds should be reinforced.
Ministers further agreed that a European strategy on low carbon vehicles should be developed to encourage the market of emerging automotive low carbon technologies, including electric vehicles.
The Commission outlined that the high level automotive industry group CARS 21 would be re-launched to structure discussions on strategic issues.
