Business · Trade · 2 hrs ago
Stellantis and Renault back UK in proposed EU car industry rules
Stellantis and Renault want the UK included in proposed EU rules that would favour cars made in Europe.
The rules would require cars to contain enough European parts and materials to qualify for EU electric-vehicle grants and public contracts.
The UK could be excluded if “European” is defined as only the EU’s 27 member states, despite its close links with the bloc’s car industry.
Stellantis still makes small vans at a factory in Ellesmere Port, Merseyside.
Renault chief executive François Provost said the UK should also consider limits on Chinese car imports if it wants to join the European industrial framework.
He said companies operating in Europe should invest across the value chain, including manufacturing, suppliers and research.
The debate comes as European carmakers face weaker demand and costly shifts to electric vehicles, while Chinese manufacturers expand in the market.
The proposed rules are still being negotiated, and the UK has so far rejected pressure to impose its own tariffs on Chinese imports.
Stellantis and Renault have backed including the UK in proposed EU rules that would favour European-made cars for subsidies and public procurement.
The executives said the UK should be treated like an EU member for the rules, despite Brexit.
Renault chief executive François Provost also urged the UK to consider limits on Chinese car imports.
The proposed Industrial Accelerator Act would require cars to be made in Europe and contain enough European parts and materials to qualify for benefits.
The debate comes as European carmakers face weaker demand and invest heavily in the shift to electric vehicles.
- Who
- Stellantis and Renault executives backed the UK’s inclusion. Some parts of European manufacturing, including France’s industry minister, argued against it.
- What
- The carmakers want the UK included in proposed EU “Made in Europe” rules. Renault also urged the UK to consider limits on Chinese car imports.
- When
- The executives spoke at the Paris motor show on Monday. The article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- At the Paris motor show.
- Why
- The rules would direct EU subsidies and public procurement benefits towards Europe’s industry. The executives said the UK is closely connected to the European automotive market.
Stellantis and Renault
Some parts of European manufacturing, including France’s industry minister
UK inclusion
Stellantis and Renault
The executives said the UK should be treated like an EU member for the proposed rules.
Some parts of European manufacturing, including France’s industry minister
They argued the UK should be excluded because of Brexit.
Chinese car imports
Stellantis and Renault
Renault’s François Provost said the UK should consider limiting imports and called for investment across the value chain.
Some parts of European manufacturing, including France’s industry minister
Not stated.
The EU and China made a landmark four-year agreement in Beijing.
The EU confirmed it would limit imports of hybrid electric vehicles from China to 350,000 cars a year.
Stellantis and Renault executives spoke at the Paris motor show in support of including the UK in the proposed rules.
- Proposed legislation
- Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)
- UK factory
- Stellantis’s Ellesmere Port facility in Merseyside produces small vans
- Chinese hybrid imports
- EU limit of 350,000 cars a year, due to come into force in December
- China’s market share
- 6% currently; the EU expects the quota to halve it
- UK’s proposed status
- Treated like the EU’s 27 member states for the rules
What people are saying
I think that UK somehow needs to be equalised to the EU 27
There is no other choice
On your side, you have also to take decisions
if you want to operate in Europe, you have to deeply invest in the whole value chain, final manufacturing, suppliers, R&D, technologies.
Sources
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