Stellantis and Renault have backed the UK car industry for inclusion in proposed EU protection rules, according to statements from their executives. Emanuele Cappellano, who leads Stellantis's European brands including Fiat, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall, and François Provost, chief executive of Renault, said the UK should be counted as one of the EU's 27 member states for the purposes of proposed "Made in Europe" legislation.
Both executives also urged the UK government to consider limiting imports of Chinese cars. The comments come as the EU develops new rules designed to protect its domestic automotive sector.
The backing from two major European carmakers signals support for integrating UK manufacturers into the EU's industrial protection framework, despite Britain's departure from the bloc. Both companies operate significant operations in the UK. Stellantis owns Vauxhall, which manufactures vehicles in Britain, while Renault has production capacity in the country.
The "Made in Europe" legislation is designed to shield EU carmakers from competition. The push for UK inclusion suggests European manufacturers see value in aligning with British producers on tariff and regulatory matters, particularly as the industry faces pressure from Chinese carmakers gaining market share globally.
Chinese electric vehicle makers have expanded rapidly into European markets in recent years, prompting calls from industry players and governments for protective trade measures. The joint advocacy by Cappellano and Provost for limits on Chinese car imports reflects broader industry concerns about competition from manufacturers offering lower prices.