Minister for companies and Made In Italy Adolfo Urso pointed out that Europe is at a turning point, and the new phase for industry is just beginning. The common position of Italy and Germany is to determine the direction for the green transformation, which – as the signatories emphasize – should be responsible, pragmatic and take into account both ecological, social and economic aspects.
Italy and Germany have been among the leaders of the European automotive industry for years. In 2023, Adolfo Urso, while signing a bilateral agreement with Germany, pointed out that the European Union must quickly react to a deepening crisis in the industrial sector. He pointed out that especially the automotive and steel industries require urgent activities to maintain Europe's competitiveness in global markets. Two years after signing the agreement, both countries more clearly emphasize the need for changes that are to save the strategic branches of their economies.
Crisis in the car industry
The largest car manufacturers in Europe are German Volkswagen and Stellantis, which is a French-Italian-American company. Both Germany and Italy play a key role in the production of cars on the continent. However, in recent years, both countries have been struggling with serious problems in this sector. Italy affected a particularly severe crisis, where car production fell sharply. In the first half of this year, only 109,900 vehicles left the Italian factories, which means a 36 % decrease. compared to the same period of the previous year. This is the lowest result since the late 1950s.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Some decisions were made because of the submission of ideology over realism, and the automotive industry suffered the greatest losses, which also had a serious impact on the entire industrial production.
Germany also feels the effects of crisis. Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the end of September appealed to the European Union to resign from the planned ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035. In his opinion, the automotive industry, which is already struggling with difficulties, needs a more flexible approach to achieving climate neutrality. Merz argued that it is industry, not politicians, that should decide which technologies will allow for the achievement of climate goals in the perspective of 2035, 2040 or 2045. He also warned that too violent transformation could lead to the fall of the most important branch of the German economy.
Decrease in production and exemption in the automotive sector
According to the latest data, about 114,000 were liquidated in the German industry over the past year. jobs, of which 51.5 thousand concerned the automotive industry. For several months, the Germans have also recorded a decrease in orders for new cars, which further deepens the difficult situation of the sector.
The joint appeal of Italy and Germany to the European Commission is an expression of the growing anxiety for the future of the European automotive industry. Both countries demand that the European Union policy be more adapted to economic realities and does not lead to further deepening the crisis in key sectors.
