Stellantis and Renault, major European automakers, have called for the UK to be included in proposed EU protectionist rules for the car industry, according to statements by their executives.
Emanuele Cappellano, who leads Stellantis's European brands including Fiat, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall, and François Provost, chief executive of Renault, said the UK should be treated as one of the EU's 27 member states under planned "Made in Europe" legislation, according to The Guardian.
Both executives also urged the British government to consider limiting imports of Chinese vehicles. The executives' backing marks support from two of Europe's largest automakers for UK inclusion in EU industry protection measures at a time when trade tensions with China are rising across the continent.
The "Made in Europe" rules remain under development. The proposal's scope and final form have not been detailed in the supplied material.