European automakers urge support as VW warns of 'enormous pressure'
European automakers called for more policy support to compete with Chinese rivals and shift to electric vehicles, as BMW's third-quarter deliveries fell 6.4% and Stellantis' shipments fell 1%. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume described the industry as under "enormous pressure."
1. Calls for policy support
European automakers urged policymakers to help them cope with Chinese competition and the shift to electric vehicles. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume called the industry under "enormous pressure" and renewed calls for more flexible regulation and incentives to support local manufacturing. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said Europe needed more EV battery factories.
2. Delivery figures weaken
BMW reported a 6.4% drop in global deliveries in the third quarter, including a 25% decline in China. Stellantis said third-quarter shipments fell 1%, hit by a summer production shutdown in North America, while European shipments rose 10%, helped in part by vehicles from Chinese partner Leapmotor.
3. Production and targets
Renault CEO Francois Provost warned the company may have to cut European production by about 300,000 vehicles if policymakers do not show flexibility over 2030 emissions targets. The European Union announced a deal that could cut Chinese hybrid vehicle exports to the bloc by more than half.
