Together with six associations representing different sectors of the automotive servicing and mobility value chain, which brings together more than 500.000 SMEs and 4,3 million jobs, as well as the umbrella association of European SMEs, FIGIEFA has published today a set of 12 measures for the recovery and post-COVID-19 period.
This essential sector has been severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis and its economic and social consequences, putting the prosperous development of companies and of jobs is at risk. In order to allow a swift relaunch of the automotive aftermarket and assist the European Union’s institutions in identifying the appropriate measures on the recovery path, the signatories representing different sectors of the automotive/mobility value chain have prepared a set of 12 detailed recommendations.
These 12 proposals do not look only at measures and incentives which could address, in the short term, the imminent effects of the crisis and kickstart the economy, but in the medium- to long-term to build lasting and prosperous recovery making the entire sector stronger and more resilient to future unexpected events.
- (1) Addressing liquidity of SMEs to fight imminent crisis effects and enable necessary investments in the future
- (2) Targeted measures to those in need reaching companies vital for EU recovery and economy
- (3) Specific funding opportunities for responsible investments and qualified workforce in the European automotive aftermarket
- (4) Free movement of labour to be ensured and coordinated on the EU level
- (5) Free movement of goods for a functioning Single Market in the EU
- (6) Safe working places for employees in Europe to support economic recovery and growth
- (7) Encourage people to get their vehicles ‘eco-checked’ to stimulate demand and contribute to the EU’s environmental objectives
- (8) Contribute to ensuring a cleaner environment – eliminate ‘gross polluters’ during PTI
- (9) Digitalisation: Swift adoption of EU legislation on access to in-vehicle data and resources needed
- (10) Promote the circular economy and move towards a more sustainable & circular automotive services sector
- (11) Maintain and modernise the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation to ensure that the whole aftermarket remains competitive
- (12) Organise a European Automobile Value Chain Summit to ensure dialogue on the future automotive value chain with all stakeholders
For both the recovery plan and post-COVID world, putting SMEs in the centre of its focus would help unleash their important contribution towards the whole European economy. Equally, in line with the objectives of the EU, helping the sector on its way to be more digitised and circular, will make the EU and its economy more sustainable, resilient and fit for current and future mobility, labour and environmental challenges.
“We want to resolve the current issues, return to a ‘new normal’, and reimagine the industry to make it competitive, resilient and sustainable”
FIGIEFA CEO, Sylvia Gotzen