The key European actors of the automotive aftermarket welcome the launch of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry and the presentation of its concept note. However, we regret that the automotive services and aftermarket have not been included in the discussions on 30 January 2025.
The sales and maintenance sector accounts for 4.5 million jobs in the EU, making it the largest sector of employment in the European Automotive sector, with a presence across all European regions. With great care for customer service and expertise, we are the direct link to the consumers and are the key factor to push sustainable mobility. With 150.000 apprentices in the undersigned countries alone, we also secure employment and expertise for future generations.

Therefore, we would like to offer further recommendations in order to be included in the upcoming thematic working groups :

Innovation and leadership in future technologies and capabilities

Promote Innovation for the Benefit of European Consumers

The European Union cannot afford to play a secondary role in the field of innovation. Given the economic opportunities generated by technological and environmental transitions, it is essential to develop a genuine roadmap for innovation at the European level. This would involve developing a competitive, electrified, energy-efficient, accessible, connected, and increasingly automated range of vehicles and associated services, meeting a wide variety of uses, while ensuring balance within the sector, fostering a more collaborative framework in client-supplier and supplier-distributor relationships to improve the sector’s overall competitiveness and stimulate innovation. This should be done by jointly defining common rules to meet Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expectations and collectively working on data-sharing regulations within the industry (including upstream and downstream) to optimize value creation.

Ensure data protection of consumers regarding connected vehicles

The European Data Act provides a strong framework and rules to facilitate the seamless transfer of data between data holders and users while upholding its confidentiality. However, the specific situation of connected vehicles is not adequately addressed. Consequently, we call for a specific European sectorial regulation on the access to connected vehicle data.

The stakeholders of the automotive services call for additional regulations to incorporate principles not covered by the Data Act:

  • The definition of a list of vehicle data, functions and resources that can be accessed when the vehicle is in use, to guarantee innovation.

  • The definition of a set of mandatory data in all vehicles to enable interoperability.

  • The possibility for the service provider to collect consent in the vehicle, to create a framework of trust with users.

  • The establishment of cybersecurity governance to ensure the security of systems and users.

    Clean transition and decarbonization

    Decarbonize the Car Fleet

    Decarbonizing the car fleet is a major challenge in the fight against climate change, and the European Union has fully embraced this by aiming for a very low-emission fleet starting January 2035. However, the shared goal of reducing GHG emissions requires optimizing car use and combining it with other mobility solutions, whether they are active, shared, or combined.

    The CAFE standards, set out in Regulation 2019/631 and defining the average CO2 emissions from all new passenger cars in Europe, will become stricter from 2025 onwards. Non-compliance with CO2 performance targets will result in penalties for manufacturers. But we can fear that these fines will transfer important risks to the dealer networks.

    A European approach needs to be found to address the still significant price gap between thermal and electric vehicles, which remains a major obstacle in a context of inflation impacting household expenses. While these policies are within the jurisdiction of each Member State, closer fiscal policies and subsidies in the electrification of automotive sector at the European level would send a strong signal.

Additionally, the used electric vehicle market needs support. Liquidity is lagging behind the new electric vehicle sales, and increasing demand for used electric vehicles will be crucial for improving residual values. This is currently a potential showstopper for electric vehicles growth and a major financial risk for car dealers and leasing companies.

European public policies must be the lever for a true strategy in favor of decarbonized mobility by developing the network of charging stations and microcars while supporting the transition in ecological, territorial, and social aspects. These policies must both support the electrification of the fleet by fostering demand and integrate solutions like low-carbon alternative fuels in a life cycle analysis approach.

 

Competitiveness and resilience

Train and Support Skill Evolution to Meet Fleet Transformation Challenges

Designing a real European strategy for skill evolution in the automotive services sector is of paramount importance to address the challenges of transitioning to sustainable mobility. This strategy should focus on several key areas, including initial and continuous training of professionals to support them in acquiring new skills and adapting to technological changes.

The automotive sector is undergoing a major transformation, with the emergence of new technologies such as electric, autonomous, and connected vehicles. It is therefore essential to prepare workers for these changes and offer them the necessary skills to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving professional environment.

A European strategy for skill evolution would ensure a harmonized approach across the EU, thereby facilitating worker mobility and mutual recognition of qualifications. Moreover, it would help strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive sector by training a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, capable of innovating and tackling tomorrow’s challenges.

Promote Sustainable Management of the Car Fleet

The car fleet continues to age, reflecting longer vehicle lifespans, with the average age of vehicles in Europe at 11.8 years. This observation calls for a collective ambition to create a framework conducive to sustainable and reasoned management of the existing fleet.

This involves complementary measures to fleet renewal, such as promoting eco- maintenance of vehicles, relying on technical inspection centers, or developing circular economy initiatives like re-used parts or those remanufactured in France—again helping to avoid significant emissions linked to the production of new parts.

The reparability of electric vehicles, a key element for consumers

The reparability of electric vehicles, especially batteries, is also a major factor in avoiding programmed obsolescence of these vehicles and enabling vehicle durability for the benefit of the consumer. The battery regulation has not yet made battery reparability mandatory, which poses major challenges in terms of vehicle prices.

This mandate should be an opportunity to make progress on this issue, and on initiatives such as a reparability index, as is the case in other sectors.

Preserve the service network across European territories

Maintaining a network of local service companies is a key lever to ensure that every European citizen can find an economically, socially, and environmentally fair solution close to their living area that meets their mobility needs. Car dealers should be actively included in the transition to fleet greening, as they advance subsidies, such as the ecological bonus in France. The shift to electric vehicles should also be accompanied by a network of appropriate services, including the development of charging infrastructure across the entire European territory.

Provide funding opportunities for the automotive sector

Ensuring the competitiveness of the automotive sector also requires funding and investment opportunities. The transition to more electric vehicles is costly and needs financial stimulation. Tax incentives for electric vehicles, investment in recharging infrastructure and green fuels are key areas of focus. Therefore, we call for the inclusion of the automotive sector in the new competitiveness fund announced by Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné during his hearing in the European Parliament in November 2024.

Our branch activities should be included in the list of activities eligible for European regulations linked with the Taxonomy in order to enable investments. Our activities of trade, maintenance and repair of cars and motorcycles contribute to transition to a more sustainable mobility by putting the circular economy in the heart of their operations.

Trade relations and international “level playing field”

Boost the Competitiveness of Automotive Companies in the EU

Because it is necessary not to produce polluting emissions alongside those avoided through usage, we call for the creation of "free zones" for the industry and services, aiming at the establishment and/or re-establishment of economic activities related to mobility close to European living areas.

Regaining competitiveness also involves better coordination between European and national regulations to avoid over-regulation that undermines the development and investment efforts of economic players.

Regulatory streamlining and process optimization

Evolve the working method at the European level

To advance the decarbonization of the car fleet and effectively address the climate challenge, it is crucial to promote better consultation and a more collaborative working method in the development of regulations. Alongside national and European public stakeholders, the automotive industry and service players, as well as associations, have a role to play in the transition to cleaner and more sustainable vehicles.

By fostering an open and constructive dialogue between these different stakeholders, it is possible to find innovative and balanced solutions. A collaborative approach, where each participant contributes expertise, also helps identify best practices and ensures that the regulations adopted are realistic, effective, and accepted by all parties involved.

By working together in a transparent and inclusive manner, industry players, service providers, NGOs, and consumer associations can make a significant contribution to the widespread acceptance of more sustainable mobility and help achieve the decarbonization goals for the automotive fleet.

Automotive service providers are a cornerstone of these discussions, as they are in close contact with customers. In this context, they are an essential stakeholder to include in the European Commission's strategic dialogue.