Driving Forward: ACEA’s vision for Europe’s automotive future
Maria Linkova‐Nijs outlines ACEA’s strategy ahead of the Drive Forward event while contemplating the new EU Automotive Action Plan.
Published on March 27, 2025
Maria Linkova‐Nijs, Executive Head of Policy and Strategy at ACEA
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Europe’s automotive industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. As the voice of Europe’s 16 largest vehicle manufacturers, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is playing a pivotal role in steering the sector through a maze of regulatory, market, and technological challenges. Maria Linkova‐Nijs, Executive Head of Policy and Strategy at ACEA, shares her insights on the industry’s ambitions and her plans for the upcoming Drive Forward event in Helmond on April 8–9. We talked to her two days after the publication of the EU Automotive Action Plan, which kept her and her organization busy for weeks.
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ACEA’s role, as Mrs. Linkova‐Nijs explains, is both strategic and multifaceted. “ACEA represents Europe’s 16 largest manufacturers of cars, trucks, vans, and buses,” she states, emphasizing the association’s responsibility as “the voice of the European vehicle manufacturers.” With an industry that provides jobs for 13 million people directly and indirectly, vehicle manufacturing is a critical pillar of Europe’s economy. The transformation to zero-emission mobility is underway, yet it is anything but straightforward. For example, the market for battery electric cars has been stagnating with less than 14% of market share in 2024. “This is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Europe, and it’s in full transition at the moment,” Linkova‐Nijs notes, highlighting the complexity of building entirely new value chains for zero-emission vehicles from scratch.
Crafting common industry positions
A three-pronged approach lies at the heart of ACEA’s work: analytical insight, consensus building, and robust external representation. Linkova‐Nijs elaborates that the association monitors every regulatory development and analyzes its impact to advise its members effectively. “We analyze the impacts and then advise our members accordingly, not just on the process but also on the overall stakeholder landscape in Brussels,” she explains. This rigorous analytical work is paired with consensus-building among the member companies. “Our role is to advise on the political visibility of every position and to develop an approach that is both technically and politically feasible.” ACEA aims to craft common industry positions that reflect broader societal interests.
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Beyond internal strategy, ACEA also focuses on external engagement. Linkova‐Nijs describes how the association works closely with policymakers, media, and other stakeholders to ensure the industry’s views are heard. “There is always a strategic discussion about the best way to deliver our message. Is it a topic that is best tackled in one-on-one engagement with decision makers or it is more political and we need to win ‘hearts and minds’ as well?,” she remarks, explaining that while direct engagement with decision-makers is crucial, reaching a broader audience through media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and public events is equally important in many cases. This proactive approach ensures that the often complex technical issues about the industry’s transformation are communicated clearly and effectively to non-experts.
Action Plan
The recently published EU Automotive Action Plan is one of the most significant developments shaping the industry’s current landscape. This ambitious plan introduces measures designed to offer manufacturers short-term breathing space. “The European Commission proposes allowing car and van manufacturers to comply over three years, rather than in 2025. That doesn’t change the direction but gives much-needed breathing space for the industry.” ACEA has actively engaged with European Commission leaders, including strategic dialogues with key figures such as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “The Action Plan, which is a result of a month of discussions with key stakeholders from vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, battery manufacturers, charging infrastructure developers, trade unions and NGOs, is a first step in the right direction and a reality check of the sector’s transformation in light of the current market and geopolitical realities. The past month has been really intense for us, as it was a unique opportunity to convey our main messages on what needs to be done.”
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The Action Plan also calls attention to the regulatory complexity within the industry. While the Commission has committed to an early revision of CO2 regulations for cars and vans, heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses have been largely overlooked. “The transition of the heavy-duty vehicle segment is even more challenging than that of passenger cars,” Linkova-Nijs laments, pointing out that only about two percent of new truck sales were zero-emission in 2024.
The sector’s competitiveness is critical not only for manufacturing jobs but also for Europe’s strategic autonomy, Linkova-Nijs stresses that a balanced and fair regulatory environment is essential: “We must ensure that the regulatory framework supports our transition, keeping jobs in Europe and preserving our competitive advantage.” The current mismatch between policy ambitions and market realities is a major concern for ACEA, she adds, “as the sector’s competitiveness is critical not only for manufacturing jobs but also for Europe’s strategic autonomy.”
Drive Forward
Against this backdrop of regulatory shifts and market uncertainties, the upcoming Drive Forward event in Helmond represents a vital platform for dialogue and strategic planning. Linkova‐Nijs is set to address the event with a clear dual focus on decarbonization and digitalization. “The conference is a great opportunity to talk about the biggest topics that interest our sector, including digitalization and autonomous vehicles,” she explains. Citing the Action Plan, she highlights that many of its initiatives also focus on digital transitions, thereby reinforcing the need for a holistic approach that goes beyond CO₂ reductions.
Her presentation at Drive Forward is expected to provide a balanced snapshot of the industry’s current situation. “I want to give an impartial and accurate snapshot of where we stand in terms of the transition,” she asserts. With real-time market data, including upcoming sales figures for March, she plans to illustrate the mismatch between current policy ambitions and market realities. “We need to pinpoint all the issues, but our ambition is not just to complain—we remain committed to the transformation. We want to have a thorough conversation about bridging this gap.”
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Catalyze discussions
Looking ahead, Maria envisions Drive Forward as more than just a conference—it is an opportunity to catalyze industry-wide discussions and drive strategic actions that will shape Europe’s automotive future. “The best outcome would be for the participants to understand the full picture: our strengths, our challenges, and what still needs to be done to keep the European automotive industry thriving,” she concludes. With a focus on creating an environment where innovation and competitive growth can flourish, ACEA is not only advocating for regulatory changes but also ensuring that Europe’s automotive legacy remains robust and forward-looking.
Europe must accelerate to maintain its position. Linking mobility sectors is essential to regain a strong position. The Drive Forward Conference (April 8 and 9 at the Automotive Campus in Helmond) aims to provide an initial impetus on precisely that point.
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