Stellantis and Renault have called for the UK car industry to be included in proposed European Union protection rules, while also urging the British government to restrict Chinese vehicle imports.
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 for the purposes of proposed "Made in Europe" legislation.
The two major carmakers back the inclusion of UK manufacturers in the EU's planned industry protections. They also want the UK government to consider limiting Chinese car imports, which both executives view as a competitive threat to European vehicle production.
The calls come as the EU develops rules aimed at safeguarding its automotive sector. Stellantis and Renault's public support for UK inclusion reflects the integrated nature of car manufacturing across Europe, where supply chains and production networks span multiple countries regardless of formal trade barriers.