Renault CEO urges EU to change rules to support car industry

At the Paris Motor Show, Renault CEO François Provost urged the EU to change its car rules to help Europe’s auto industry.

He says 108 new rules expected by 2030 will add at least €3,000 to the cost of each car.

Provost says the rules are adding pressure to an industry already losing jobs: one-third of Europe’s auto-sector jobs have gone since 2010.

He welcomed a recent China-EU agreement that caps exports of Chinese hybrid cars, but says Chinese companies should also invest in European production and local supply chains.

Renault’s only Chinese partner is Geely, and Provost says the company wants to keep control of the technology used in its cars.

He says fewer rules could let carmakers work together on shared parts such as battery cells and electronic components.

Provost says EU action is urgent, but he considers wider cooperation unrealistic while companies remain burdened by regulations.