Stellantis and Renault back UK to get EU car industry protection

Stellantis and Renault have publicly supported the United Kingdom’s request to be treated as an EU member state under the forthcoming “Made in Europe” car‑industry protection rules. In statements to the press, Emanuele Cappellano – who oversees Stellantis’s European brands such as Fiat, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall – and François Provost, chief executive of Renault, argued that the UK’s automotive sector should be counted among the EU’s 27 members for the purpose of the new legislation aimed at shielding European manufacturers from external competition. Both executives also urged the British government to consider measures that would limit the influx of vehicles manufactured in China, which they said could undermine the effectiveness of the protection scheme. The proposal is part of a broader EU effort to introduce “Made in Europe” rules that would impose stricter import standards and possibly tariffs on cars not produced within the bloc. While the UK is no longer an EU member following Brexit, the industry lobbyists see alignment with the EU framework as a way to secure market access and maintain a level playing field. The call for limits on Chinese imports reflects growing concern across European carmakers about the rapid expansion of Chinese‑made vehicles in global markets. The Guardian’s report notes that the two companies’ joint stance is intended to influence UK policy ahead of upcoming negotiations on trade and automotive standards. No specific policy proposals or timelines were disclosed, and the British government has not yet responded to the request. The story, published by The Guardian on 12 October 2026, appears in the business feed and reflects ongoing debates about how post‑Brexit trade arrangements will interact with EU industrial policy. Analysts note that aligning the UK with the EU’s “Made in Europe” scheme could simplify certification processes for manufacturers operating on both sides of the Channel, but it may also raise sovereignty questions within the UK government.