French automotive parts suppliers call: Don't make in China, but make in EU
AFP reported that on Thursday, December 4, French automotive parts suppliers jointly called for an emergency launch of the "Made in EU" label for complete vehicles and parts produced in Europe starting in 2026, to avoid the collapse of the local industrial system under intense Chinese competition.
These companies, which produce metal parts, tires, and other accessories, number 3,600 with 240,000 employees and an annual turnover of 52 billion euros. They hope that the EU will implement strict and regulated policies from 2026 to ensure that all cars and parts manufactured and sold within the EU maintain a certain proportion of locally produced products.
They believe that the local content of complete vehicles should be set at 80%, and the average for parts should reach 70%. This proposal is stricter than Renault's previous plan, and it was released just before Brussels announced a long-awaited major plan for the European automotive industry.
The suppliers believe that the very existence of the European automotive industry is now under threat due to China's unprecedented business offensive.
According to Clifa, an organization representing all automotive equipment manufacturers (including automotive equipment, body manufacturing, mechanical engineering, forging and casting, automotive plastics, and rubber industries), there has been an unprecedented change in Sino-European automotive trade relations by mid-2025: the EU's trade balance with China has recorded a deficit for the first time. This means that as a traditional power in the automotive industry, the EU has imported more cars from China this year than it has exported to China.
As Chinese companies build more "screwdriver factories" (factories that only perform simple assembly) in Europe without unified localization requirements, this trend will further intensify. According to Clifa data, there are already 7 confirmed factory projects by Chinese automakers in Europe, with another 6 under negotiation.
"The situation is extremely urgent," said Jean-Louis Pessis, president of the Federation of Vehicle Equipment Industries (FIEV).
He pointed out that many enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises will disappear, and France will lose its automotive sovereignty, as many components will no longer be available in France.
Alain Jesta, president of the Federation of Forging and Casting (FFF), added, "We are at the upstream of the supply chain; if we do not protect ourselves, all parts of the entire chain will be affected."
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1850644129114122/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself