According to the French government, the European car industry should better defend itself against China and the United States

"Our problem is that our big partners have chosen protectionist strategies," the head of the ministry emphasized during his visit to the Paris Motor Show, which opened on Monday. "Or we can influence them, and this will be one of the goals of President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Washington. Or, if that doesn't work, we have to ask ourselves what common policy to use at the European level to better protect our interests," he added.

He reminded that the United States intends to provide subsidies only for the purchase of electric vehicles produced in North America in the future.

"In the face of such aggressive trade policies, it is essential to apply reciprocity in trade relations between Europe, the United States and China," said the head of the ministry. According to the minister, the European preference should be among the tools used by the EU member states.

In a newspaper interview on Monday, Emmanuel Macron confirmed that low-income people will be able to rent an electric car for 100 euros per month in France from 2024. According to the economy minister, the government postponed the measure by a year so that European car manufacturers could prepare for it, and that non-EU companies would not take advantage of the opportunity.

"The postponement gives time to the European car manufacturers to create the best possible offer, and the European Union must also give its consent in order to provide these vehicles with a subsidy," he pointed out.
Bruno Le Maire welcomed the many announcements made at the motor show by Renault, the Stellantis automotive alliance that brings together Citroen, Fiat, Opel and Peugeot, and Renault. He also asked the two French car manufacturers, in which the state is also a shareholder, to relocate their sites to France after thirty years of production abroad.

Bruno Le Maire criticized those who protest against the European Union's plan to completely ban the sale of models equipped with internal combustion engines from 2035.

"You can regret that the European Union did not leave technological freedom to car manufacturers, but there is no point in regretting it afterwards. We should rather speed up the decision we made together, i.e. the transition to the production of electric cars," he said.

(Source: autokalauz.co.hu; MTI | Image: pixabay.com)