European Automakers Reject "Made in Europe" Initiative Over Vague Rules and Enforcement Concerns

Major European automakers recently declined to sign the "Made in Europe" initiative promoted by EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné. The initiative calls on companies to prioritize locally sourced components and offers public subsidies to firms that significantly rely on European-made supply chains. Although over 1,000 corporate executives and organizations—including Michelin and ThyssenKrupp—have endorsed the proposal, automakers have generally remained cautious. According to informed sources, car manufacturers are concerned about the ambiguous definition of "European products" and unclear implementation criteria, which could lead to compliance risks and increased costs. This move highlights deep divisions within European industry over strategies to address external competition.