European automakers urge support as VW warns of 'enormous pressure'
XLY•European automakers called for more policy support to compete with Chinese rivals and shift to electric vehicles. BMW reported a 6.4% drop in third-quarter global deliveries, while Stellantis shipments fell 1%.
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 said the industry was under “enormous pressure” and called for more flexible regulation and incentives to support local manufacturing.
2. Production and delivery figures
BMW reported a 6.4% drop in global third-quarter deliveries, including a 25% decline in China. Stellantis said 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. Warnings and new models
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. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said Europe needed more EV battery factories. At the Paris show, Stellantis unveiled an electric Citroen 2CV and Volkswagen presented an electric Polo drawing on the Golf’s 1980s heyday.
