Loan move for European carmakers

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Series Details 30.10.08
Publication Date 30/10/2008
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European carmakers could get up to €40bn in 'soft loans' from the European Investment Bank to the industry to help develop more fuel-efficient technologies, Günter Verheugen, EU Industry Commissioner said on the 29 October 2008. He said that that loan subsidies could be provided through the EIB in an effort to develop greener cars and meet EU environmental targets, although he pointed out that it was ultimately a matter for the EU Member States and the EIB to decide.

Concerned about the employment situation in the European automotive sector CARS 21 stakeholders met for a High Level Conference on the 29 October 2008 and agreed on conclusions on how to foster a competitive European car industry. All participants shared the need to position European car industry as global leader in clean, safe and affordable vehicles as they way ahead for safeguarding jobs and living up to the climate change challenge. The conference underlined that carmakers in the EU need to be able to compete on fair terms in international markets. A task force to promote 'green' cars will be set up, which should bring together all relevant stakeholders to explore technical, regulatory and economic hurdles and suggest ways forward for such vehicles.

Related Links
ESO: Background information: Carmakers challenge Brussels to put up or shut up http://www.europeansources.info/record/carmakers-challenge-brussels-to-put-up-or-shut-up/
European Commission: Press Release: IP/08/1598: European automotive policy: For job security and green and affordable cars http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1598&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/pagesbackground/competitiveness/cars21.htm http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/pagesbackground/competitiveness/cars21.htm
BBC News, 29.10.08: EU carmakers closer to CO2 loans http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7698264.stm

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