The end of “Made in the EU” cars? Corporations are fleeing to Asia. The Polish industry is sounding the alarm

Car companies increasingly want to use components from outside the EU, which affects European plants, including Polish ones, Tomasz Bęben, president of the association of parts manufacturers, told PAP. He pointed out that a car “made in the EU” should consist of at least 75 percent. from European parts.

According to estimates of the European Association of Automotive Parts Manufacturers CLEPA By 2030, Europe may lose up to 350,000. jobs in the automotive sector, and with them part of its technological “sovereignty”.if it does not introduce effective mechanisms supporting local added value.

Document I prepared by the European Commission is intended to maintain the production and technological capabilities of the European industryIndustrial Accelerator Act (IAA). Its aim is to support strategic industries struggling with falling demand, high energy prices and unequal conditions of international competition. The project proposes the introduction of minimum thresholds for locally produced components in publicly financed projects. This will apply to sectors of strategic importance, such as battery production, wind and solar energy, nuclear technologies and the automotive sector.

The automotive industry is calling for a provision to be introduced into the IAA stating that a “European” car must consist of at least 75 percent. components manufactured in European Union countries. This is to prevent car companies, including vehicle manufacturers from China, which are increasingly present in Europe, partly from the so-called low-cost countries, instead of the European Union.

– It is worth recalling that the automotive industry includes not only car companies, but primarily companies producing parts and components, because they are responsible for approximately 75 percent. final value of the car. Therefore, in the assessment of the sector, this minimum value criterion is completely justified – said the president of the Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Manufacturers SDCM, member of the CLEPA management board, Tomasz Bęben.

The expert pointed out that parts manufacturers not only provide ready-made components that are installed in cars, but also develop new technical and technological solutions.

– To put it simply, they are largely responsible for progress in the automotive industry. The European industry is therefore at risk not only of reduced production, but also of irreversible loss of know-how and competences. If we are pushed out of the supply chain now, the chance that we will come back one day will be illusory, emphasized the president of SDCM.

Dręben noted that independent manufacturers supply most of the components of the basic systems, from braking, through steering, suspension, cooling, etc.

– The list of elements produced directly by vehicle manufacturers is much shorter and we are talking mainly about structural elements – body and chassis, interior fittings or engine block – noted Bęben.

The president of SDCM added that car components from external suppliers are manufactured based on the specifications and needs of the vehicle manufacturer. Then they are assembled on the production line to create the final product, i.e. a complete car.

– Therefore, focusing solely on final assembly does not provide real added value, jobs, research and technology transfer. According to industry data, over 80 percent parts used today in vehicles manufactured in the EU come from European suppliers anyway, so the introduction of the 75% threshold parts produced in the EU should not lead to an increase in car prices – said Bęben.

According to SDCM data, there are approximately 1,000 companies in Poland producing parts and components, both mounted in vehicles and supplied to the secondary market. In 2024, the sold value of parts and accessories amounted to PLN 115 billion, of which nearly half was exported. The main recipients of parts from Poland include: EU countries with a well-developed automotive industry. Automotive parts production plants operating in Poland provide employment to over 145,000 employees.

– Over the last two years, nearly 104,000 jobs have “evaporated” from the EU automotive parts production sector. jobs, and the prospects for the coming years are not optimistic. Lack of a decisive response to unfavorable conditions affecting the competitiveness of the European automotive industry and the stability of supply chains, especially in view of the persistent cost imbalance of 15-30%. compared to non-EU competitors, we risk losing up to 23%. added value over the next few years. For the Polish automotive industry, which is largely focused on the production of parts, this may mean a gradual ejection from European supply chains, the expert emphasized. (PAP)

gkc/mmu/