CLEPA and EVP Mînzatu address workforce transition and future-proofing Europe’s auto industry 

The future of Europe’s automotive workforce took centre stage at CLEPA’s General Assembly as industry leaders met with European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu. Amid tough economic headwinds, participants discussed how to keep European manufacturing competitive and protect local jobs during the industry’s rapid transformation. CLEPA also confirmed updates to the Board of Directors and welcomed new member companies. 

“Over the past year, the challenges facing Europe’s automotive supply industry, from unfair competition to weak market demand, have become even more evident. Yet my confidence in our sector’s innovative strength, technological expertise, and resilience remains unchanged,” said Matthias Zink, CLEPA President and CEO Powertrain & Chassis at Schaeffler. “Policymakers are increasingly recognising the devastating impacts of these pressures on EU jobs and economic prosperity. The coming months will be decisive, and CLEPA will continue to work constructively to ensure that Europe’s transition is both ambitious and economically sustainable.” 

The event brought together 100+ participants from national associations and corporate members across the automotive supply industry, as well as senior figures from EU institutions. Together, they used the platform to tackle discussions on decarbonisation challenges, and the future of automotive innovation in Europe. 

European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu met with CLEPA leadership to address a stark reality: the European automotive supply industry has lost an average of 142 jobs per day since the beginning of 2024. In her keynote address, she stressed that Europe’s industrial competitiveness is ultimately built by its people. The sector’s future success, she noted, relies on equipping workers with the right skills and opportunities to navigate this rapid transformation and secure Europe’s economic future. This high-level dialogue builds on CLEPA’s escalating outreach across EU institutions. Earlier on the same day, industry representatives held a targeted breakfast meeting with Members of the European Parliament from the S&D and the EPP groups. 

Setting the strategic agenda for the association, CLEPA Secretary General, Benjamin Krieger, now in his fourth year leading the Secretariat, outlined the critical political shifts needed to secure the sector’s future:  

“Europe’s green transition will only succeed if we keep our industries competitive and our people employed. We cannot treat climate goals and job security as an either-or choice. The Industrial Accelerator Act should reinforce European value creation and resilient supply chains, while the CO₂ framework must remain technology-neutral and responsive to market realities. Together, these policies can create the conditions for investment, accelerate decarbonisation, and ensure that the future of mobility is developed and manufactured in Europe. It’s time to move past endless policy debates and take immediate action to protect our workforce while we build cleaner transport.” 

The General Assembly also confirmed new and re-elected members of the CLEPA Board of Directors, and recognised 5 new members, as listed below. 

New full members: 

AUMOVIO 

BeSafe 

ContiTech 

Molex 

Thule