European automakers shouldn't count on special treatment from the EU, Industry Commissioner Verheugen said. But one German state has demanded climate protection rules be watered down to protect carmakers -- and jobs. The European Union's planned support package for the 27-member bloc's industrial sector would not provide automakers with special subsidies, Guenther Verheugen, the bloc's industry commissioner, said in an interview on Sunday, Nov. 23. "We have a single industrial policy in Europe and it has clearly left behind the use of subsidies," he told German broadcaster NDR. "And there won't be a reoccurrence of the subsidy mentality of the 80s." Verheugen added that the only industry rescue package considered by the EU was one involving the expansion of credit lines provided by the European Investment Bank. Such new loans would help carmakers adopt climate-friendly technology and produce cleaner cars.
The European Union's planned support package for the 27-member bloc's industrial sector would not provide automakers with special subsidies, Guenther Verheugen, the bloc's industry commissioner, said in an interview on Sunday, Nov. 23.
"We have a single industrial policy in Europe and it has clearly left behind the use of subsidies," he told German broadcaster NDR. "And there won't be a reoccurrence of the subsidy mentality of the 80s."
Verheugen added that the only industry rescue package considered by the EU was one involving the expansion of credit lines provided by the European Investment Bank. Such new loans would help carmakers adopt climate-friendly technology and produce cleaner cars.
