Stuttgart in focus: Top discussion to save the automotive industry!

On January 10, 2025, an important top-level discussion was held in Stuttgart City Hall to address the challenges facing the automotive industry in the region. Stuttgart is considered one of the world's leading automotive capitals, and the success of the industry is crucial for numerous jobs and local prosperity. However, the automotive industry is facing major challenges, particularly due to new regulations from the European Union.

The meeting was attended by Stéphane Séjourné, EU Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy and Commissioner for Industry, SMEs and the Internal Market. Séjourné, who has been in office since December 1, 2024, was welcomed by members of the European Parliament from Baden-Württemberg as well as representatives of large companies, including Mercedes Benz Group AG, Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Mahle GmbH and Daimler Truck AG. Representatives of the state of Baden-Württemberg, the Stuttgart Region Association as well as business associations and unions were also present. During his visit to Stuttgart, Séjourné plans to visit several companies together with Mayor Nopper.

EU climate targets and their consequences

The automotive industry is being put under additional pressure by the new EU climate regulations. The current limit for CO2 emissions is 115.1 grams of CO2 per kilometer, measured in the WLTP test procedure. A drastic reduction in the limit values ​​is planned: by 2025 they should fall to 93.6 grams of CO2 per kilometer and by 2030 to 49.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Manufacturers who exceed these requirements risk fines.

To avoid potential penalties, it may be necessary for manufacturers to stop producing and selling over two million internal combustion engine vehicles. This would result in the closure of eight production facilities and put millions of jobs at risk. One proposal is to use an emergency article to postpone the introduction of the stricter requirements for two years. The European automobile association Acea has confirmed that a corresponding document is circulating, although it does not constitute an official paper of the association. Environmentalists have expressed outrage at this move; Sebastian Bock, Managing Director of Transport & Environment Germany, criticized car manufacturers for high profits and a lack of preparation for CO2 targets.

Developments in the automotive sector and the looming consequences of EU climate targets require urgent solutions to keep the industry on track.