There will be support for job creation in the automotive industry after the European Parliament adopted a resolution to encourage the development of green technologies by a vote of 413 to 44.
The automotive industry is seen as key to the EU economy as it employs 12 million workers directly and indirectly – this makes up six per cent of the employed population of the European Union. The industry has been hit by the global economic crisis and has seen demand slump prompting a decrease in production with the UK hit particularly hard – the number of new car registrations fell by 30.9 per cent in January.
The specifics outlined in the resolution include: asking the European Commission to ensure best use of European funds available in support of jobs; reaffirms the industry’s needs for continuous investment in research and development programmes; calls on the Commission to outlines recommendations for measures that encourage a co-ordinated approach to fleet renewal; confirms the need to deepen dialogue and ongoing discussions with third countries and EU trading partners.
There is also some concern about short-term measures adopted by some member states such as France which is contemplating moving production out of other countries and into France which would lead to a distortion of competition.
The member states have been called on to make sure that all future measures are coherent, efficient and co-ordinated.
