The Automotive Regions Alliance (ARA) met today in Monza, Italy, which saw the adoptiong of a declaration that calls for a more gradual approach to the energy transition, and for an earlier review, already in 2025, of the regulation setting CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans. This would provide European automakers with sufficient time to adjust to the transition. The ECR Group was represented by President Marco Marsilio, who delivered a keynote speech, and members Roberto Ciambetti, Matteo Bianchi and Elia Delmiglio. 

"The biggest automotive manufacturers and component suppliers are shutting down their factories in Europe", stated President Marsilio, who underlined the urgency of having an early revision of the CO2 regulation to mitigate "the ongoing crisis in the automotive sector because of the EU's emission targets".

The ‘Monza Declaration’ calls for balancing Europe’s climate ambitions with the need to ensure the competitiveness of the automotive industry. Participants highlighted the importance of a clear and stable roadmap to guide automotive regions through the energy transition. The Alliance also welcomed the European Commission’s emphasis on technology neutrality and emphasised the need to explore alternative climate-neutral technologies. 

"If we do not take a more gradual approach to the transition, we will need a massive support package to facilitate the transition of the automotive industry", added President Marsilio, who is the Rapporteur of the opinion "A Just Transition for all EU regions", adopted by the CoR Plenary in October. "With the Monza Declaration we call, once more, for technological neutrality, and by it we do not only mean e-fuels but also biofuels as alternative routes to the mantra of electric vehicles".

Finally, ECR members congratulated Lombardy Region for taking over the chairmanship of the Alliance, the first time for an Italian region. In the coming months, ARA aims to keep working and collaborating with the EU and other stakeholders to ensure strong support for the Automotive Industry at the different regional levels.