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EU auto sector urges remedy for emission fines ahead of official dialogue

MercedesBenz CEO Ola Kaellenius advised the European Commission on Thursday to acknowledge that subdued electrical car sales in the European Union were due to weak need not lack of supply and to ditch prospective fines for the car sector.

The bloc's carmakers, who are having a hard time to compete against Chinese rivals and bracing for U.S. tariffs after President-elect Donald Trump takes workplace, face possible EU fines of as much as 15 billion euros ($ 15.4 billion) if their fleets do not satisfy CO2 emission limitations in 2025.

Kaellenius, the brand-new president of the European Auto Makers' Association (ACEA), set out a market dream list ahead of a 'strategic dialogue' the EU executive prepares with carmakers, providers and trade unions.

The discussion is developed to support the competitiveness of automobile manufacturing in Europe, now dealing with job cuts.

Kaellenius said he expected the discussion to begin within weeks, adding that the EU ought to also look for a grand bargain with Trump to prevent a trade war.

The ACEA president said the CO2-emitting vehicle targets were based upon expectations of a take-off of EV demand that had not occurred and prompted political leaders to come up with ideas.

We have made a few recommendations, but we didn't wish to come in with a prescriptive 'simply do this', however say, let's recognise there is a problem, he told press reporters. Any type of relief that safeguards our investment capability is what we're looking for.

ACEA stated EV sales fell by 5.9% last year, with a market share of 13.6%, a portion point down from 2023, rather than a boost to 20% to meet carbon emission targets. It forecast that market share would again fall short, running the risk of high charges for non-compliance.

New EU car registrations increased by 0.8%, according to the provisional ACEA figures, however the variety of cars offered was still 18.4% listed below the level in 2019.

Kaellenius also said the EU required to improve competitiveness, such as by deepening its single market and stimulating research study, and acknowledge the advantages of open market.

(source: Reuters)