Stellantis and Renault Push for UK Inclusion in EU Car Protections
Two European auto giants want the UK treated as an EU member for proposed 'Made in Europe' rules and urge limits on Chinese car imports.
The heads of two of Europe's largest automakers are calling on the European Union to extend proposed industry protections to the United Kingdom, while simultaneously pressing London to curb the flow of Chinese vehicles into the British market.
Emanuele Cappellano, who oversees Stellantis's European brands including Fiat, Citroën, Opel, and Vauxhall, and François Provost, chief executive of Renault, jointly argued that the UK should be treated as a de facto 28th EU member state under the bloc's forthcoming "Made in Europe" legislation. The proposal reflects the deep manufacturing interdependence between British and continental automotive supply chains.
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The two executives also directed a separate appeal toward the UK government, urging it to consider restricting Chinese car imports — a policy concern that mirrors steps already being debated or enacted across the EU. The dual message underscores the growing anxiety among legacy European automakers over Chinese competition, both at home and in key export markets.
The push by Stellantis and Renault highlights a broader industry calculation: that post-Brexit trade boundaries risk fragmenting a tightly integrated European auto sector at precisely the moment it faces intense pressure from lower-cost electric vehicle manufacturers out of China. Bringing the UK inside the scope of EU protective measures could help preserve shared production networks that span the English Channel.
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