The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association Has A New Boss

Fortunately for fans of internal combustion, de Meo's feelings are similar to those of Zipse, which is probably why he's the right man to continue the work of the ACEA. "Looking ahead, we need Europe urgently to implement policies that fully support our decarbonization goal and enable us to face growing global competition," said the new ACEA president. "We welcome the work on a European Raw Materials Act, which should support the continent's economic resilience and the shift to zero emissions."

This will essentially be the EU's answer to America's Inflation Reduction Act. However, there is still work to be done, and de Meo is not convinced that lawmakers are on the right path.

"The Euro 7 proposal in its current shape, however, would draw away massive human and financial resources from electrification," said de Meo, adding that the "ACEA will continue to advocate for a balance between what is good for the environment, what is good for Europe's economy and what is good for society."

Like his predecessor's company, de Meo's Renault is investing in electrification but is not throwing all its eggs in that basket. With more than three decades of experience in the automotive sector, Luca de Meo is no fool, and he is acutely aware that forcing the industry to go electric too soon will have just as many drawbacks as it will benefits. With his comments on the occasion of his election to the top job at ACEA, we can expect European automakers to continue fighting an all-out ban on combustion engines, with the promise of hydrogen and synthetic fuels hoped to keep cars of all sorts purring for decades to come, from the humble Renault Clio to the latest BMW 8 Series.