The Alliance of Regions for Automotive (ARA) agreed today at a meeting held at the AIC in Amorebieta to sign the 'Declaration of Bilbao'. This text advocates for regions to play a "leading role" in European industrial policy, a commitment to 'Made in Europe', and "local content" in the automotive sector, combining technological neutrality for emission reduction with business competitiveness.
The automotive landscape is currently dominated by electrification, an area where the United States and China are taking the lead. Europe, as indicated by the Minister of Industry, Mikel Jauregi, does not want to lose the "leadership" position it has held for decades. In the short to medium term, projects for manufacturing electric vehicles by Chinese companies are expected to arrive in Europe, but the aim is to ensure their work on the continent is not limited to mere assembly.
“"We know that Chinese manufacturers will produce cars in Europe, but they must do so with locally manufactured components. And, in our case, Chinese cars with Basque parts"
Jauregi advocated for the "need for technological neutrality to reduce emissions and to combine electric cars with hybrids and cars that use renewable fuels". The President of Navarre, María Chivite, also participated in the meeting.
Jauregi stated that "the main European automotive regions are doubly committed: we are the industrial base of Europe and we believe in an open Europe. We welcome the establishment of foreign automotive manufacturers in Europe, but applying the same rules of the game: local content and technological neutrality. The Declaration of Bilbao calls for regions to play a leading role in European industrial policy; the commitment to 'Made in Europe' and local content in the automotive sector; and, finally, technological neutrality to reduce emissions. It is a commitment to a more European and more sustainable automotive sector".
In this context, the Declaration also calls for the co-design and co-implementation of European industrial and investment instruments in conjunction with automotive regions. It also underlines the strategic importance of talent, supporting the objectives of the Roadmap for Quality Jobs and the future Quality Jobs Law, as well as integrating gender equality as a structural criterion in the sector's labor policies.
