Mediaroom

Several associations representing different sectors of the automotive servicing and mobility value chain, which brings together more than 500.000 SMEs and 4,3 million jobs, as well as the umbrella association of European SMEs, have published today a set of 12 measures for the recovery and post-COVID-19 period.

This essential sector has been severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis and its economic and social consequences, putting the prosperous development of companies and of jobs at risk. In order to allow a swift relaunch of the automotive aftermarket and assist the European Union’s institutions in identifying the appropriate measures on the recovery path, the signatories representing different sectors of the automotive/mobility value chain have prepared a set of 12 detailed recommendations.

1. Addressing liquidity of SMEs

2. Targeted measures to those in need

3. Specific funding opportunities for responsible investments and qualified workforce

4. Free movement of labour

5. Free movement of goods

6. Safe working places for employees in Europe

7. Encourage people to get their vehicles ‘eco-checked’

8. Contribute to ensuring a cleaner environment – eliminate ‘gross polluters’ during PTI

9. Digitalisation: Swift adoption of EU legislation on access to in-vehicle data and resources needed

10. Promote the circular economy and move towards a more sustainable & circular automotive services sector

11. Maintain and modernise the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation

12. Organise a European Automobile Value Chain Summit

These 12 proposals do not look only at measures and incentives which could address, in the short term, the imminent effects of the crisis and kick-start the economy, but in the medium- to long-term to build lasting and prosperous recovery making the entire sector stronger and more resilient to future unexpected events.

For both the recovery plan and post-COVID world, putting SMEs in the centre of its focus would help unleash their important contribution towards the whole European economy. Equally, in line with the objectives of the EU, helping the sector on its way to be more digitised and circular, will make the EU and its economy more sustainable, resilient and fit for current and future mobility, labour and environmental challenges.

“The demand for individual mobility will remain but the expectations regarding sustainability will increase. Embedding digitalisation and circular economy principles across the entire value chain will be key for the mobility sector, to the benefit of consumers.” – CLEPA Secretary General, Sigrid de Vries

“A swift adoption of EU legislation on access to in-vehicle data and resources is needed to enable the automotive aftermarket to succeed in the digitalisation challenge” – ADPA President, Ralf Pelkmann

“We urgently need support measures of financial and economic nature to fight the imminent effects of the crisis and relaunch economic activity in Europe” – AIRC Director General, Thomas Aukamm

“Encourage people to get their vehicles ‘eco-checked’ will stimulate demand and contribute to the EU’s environmental objectives ” – CECRA Director General, Bernard Lycke

“We can foster economic activity across the whole automotive sector value chain while being in line with the wider goals of the European Union” – EGEA Secretary General, Jordi Brunet

“We want to resolve the current issues, return to a ‘new normal’, and reimagine the industry to make it competitive, resilient and sustainable” – FIGIEFA CEO, Sylvia Gotzen.

“The Single Market, protecting companies, employees and consumers, has to work again; free movement of labour and of goods must be reinstated” – SMEunited Secretary General, Véronique Willems

“Promoting the circular economy and moving towards a more sustainable and circular automotive servicing sector will help us address tomorrow’s challenges” – UEIL Board Member, Jos Jong