EMF Auto conference

The conference gave a clear message: the automotive industry is of strategic importance to Europe both from an industrial and employment point of view. It is facing major challenges characterized by cut-throat competition, stagnating demand, a sluggish economy and ongoing restructuring. Nevertheless, some European car manufacturers are still progressing in a mature market and still managing to maintain a steady level of world exports. It is however urgent to deal with some of the structural problems faced by the automotive industry, such as the relationship between OEMs and suppliers, restructuring and redeployment, mainly to Eastern Europe, and need to stimulateinnovation.

“We need to establish the framework conditions to ensure sustainability in the Europeanautomotive industry”, said Siegfried Roth, Chair of the EMF Sector Committee Automotive.

“This cannot be reached by cost-cutting strategies alone but by keeping the European automotive industry at the forefront of technological, ecological and societal innovation, supported by a highly-skilled workforce.”

Referring to restructuring, the EMF General Secretary, Peter Scherrer, concluded by saying “We will not accept being played off against each other or competing with one another on wage and labour costs. Successful examples have demonstrated the possibility of arriving at socially responsible solutions, acceptable to all, when faced withchange. These should be used as a blue-print to deal with future change in theautomotive industry."

The conference agreed on a number of elements to be included in an Action Plan at European level to guarantee innovation, growth and employment in the European carindustry in the future. This Action Plan will be the EMF roadmap for trade unions in this industry.

The conference presentations are available on the EMF website .

PRESS 11/2006

For further information, please contact:

Editor, Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary

Isabelle Barthes, EMF Senior Advisor on the Automotive Sector