The automotive industry with one voice: the rectification of the PSOE must give certainty to car buyers

The associations of the automotive sector have made a joint statement, something unusual, to show their satisfaction with the “retreat” of the PSOE with the measure of “prohibiting” the sale of combustion cars from 2040. Faconauto (dealers), Anfac (manufacturers), Aniacam (importers), Ganvam (workshops and sales) and Sernauto (component manufacturers) in which “the modification of measure 256 in the Open Proposal for a Common Progressive Program of the PSOE is positively valued”. The sector calls “irresponsible” the measure announced by the PSOE on banning sales of combustion cars.

The first wording of the measure spoke of a ban on the sale of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles from 2040 while the second wording states that “in development of the decarbonisation strategy to 2050, we will adopt the necessary measures, in accordance with European regulations, so that new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, (…) gradually reduce their emissions, so that no later than 2040 they will be vehicles with emissions of 0gCO2/km. We will work with the sector and implement measures to facilitate the penetration of these vehicles, which will include measures to support R & D + i”.

The associations as a whole understand that the final document, which rules out an express ban, is in line with the work done with the Government in order to design a Plan for the Automotive, with strategic measures that advance in this transformation of the sector, both at an industrial and market level.

The entire sector needs measures that favour industrial competitiveness, attract new models and investments and strengthen the market in order to increase sales of the most efficient vehicles. Therefore, it highlights positively these talks to reach a favorable framework agreement, which reinforces the competitiveness of the country in the transition of the mobility of the future.

Registrations and investments

The establishment of intermediate limits for the objective of decarbonisation of the fleet in 2050, as established by the EU and as all the actors in the sector are committed, means giving stability and certainty, both to vehicle and component manufacturers, as well as to distribution and buyers.

The communiqué considers that society needs certainty and to know that the transition in our country towards sustainable mobility will be made in an orderly, equitable way, taking into account their needs and always according to a realistic calendar in terms of the development and better technological use of vehicles.

In this sense, the complete current offer of new vehicles, with all technologies, play an essential role in this process, since they comply with the most demanding emission measurement regulations in the world. In this way, buyers can be sure that they can solve their mobility needs through any of the technologies currently available on the market.

Declarations

Mario Armero, executive vice president of Anfac, highlighted “the agility” with which the modification was introduced, “because it reduces uncertainty for consumers and the sector.” “ANFAC, as a representative of the manufacturers, is fully committed to the path of the decarbonization of the park in 2050 and the transformation towards the new mobility. More than 70% of the models that are going to be launched on the market are accompanied by an electrified or hybrid version, with which we move towards a zero and low emissions automotive, but the transition must be orderly, affordable and positive from all points of view. Eliminating the ban also brings certainty to the market, which needs it so much after months of decline and means returning to the roadmap that is being worked with the Government in the face of an agreement for the Automotive and aligned with the European Union. We are open to continue collaborating with the Executive and society on this path,” he said.

Victor García Alia, secretary general of Aniacam, said that they have “seen with satisfaction the rectification that the PSOE has made in the Proposal document. We are sure that the only way to reach that goal is, first of all, to renew the obsolete car fleet that Spain has and the only way to do it in the most immediate future is to change it with modern combustion vehicles that practically do not emit polluting gases and have drastically decreased CO emissions.₂ and secondly to resume the preference of diesel vehicles over gasoline vehicles, which emit much less _CO2. It is important that the Government reassures buyers by urging them to swap old vehicles for modern combustion cars, particularly non-polluting diesels.”

Marta Blázquez, executive vice president of Faconauto has said that “the best way to end the uncertainty of buyers, which as we know has negatively impacted sales, is that the sector works hand in hand with the Government, the current one in office or with which it should be formed as soon as possible, to make the transition to sustainable mobility in our country always favor the interests of drivers and the renovation of the park. We must stop talking about bans if there is no alternative at present. We cannot deviate from this line because we play a lot,” said Marta Blázquez, executive vice president of Faconauto.

Ana Sánchez, general director of Ganvam, considers that “with this rapid rectification it is being recognized that an environmental strategy based on the prohibition retracts the purchase decision and confuses the user, contributing to increase the age of the park and therefore, achieving the opposite effect to the one pursued. Thus, a message of tranquility is being given much needed for society and the sector, which will give a boost to the market, translating into a gradual renovation of the park. Implementing an orderly transition that respects the principle of technological neutrality – since all new and pre-owned vehicles currently comply with the most demanding anti-pollution regulations in the world – is the most effective way to curb the age of the fleet and achieve the zero emissions objective, to which the sector has shown itself to be fully committed”.

José Portilla, general director of Sernauto, is positive that it has been rectified because the initial text contradicted what was worked during the legislature with the Ministry of Industry and, in addition, went against the stipulations of the European Union. The automotive components industry is fully committed to decarbonization but always respecting the criterion of technological neutrality and in a progressive and orderly way, where no technology is penalized because all of them are key to meet the emissions objectives and guarantee the mobility of people and goods. It is essential that an essential country-strategy for the transformation of the automotive sector be implemented as soon as possible, supporting industrial development, employment and competitiveness in a globalized environment. It is also a priority to implement urgent measures to promote the competitiveness of the industry, encourage R + D + i in Spain and promote the scrapping and rejuvenation of the park, which would have an immediate impact on the environment.

Source: The Economist