German Mayors Warn of Auto Industry Collapse, Urge EU ActionGerman Mayors Warn of Auto Industry Collapse, Urge EU Action

Fifteen mayors from six German states issue an urgent appeal to the European Union, warning that the country’s automotive industry is facing an existential crisis.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, they argue that EU policies are exacerbating the industry’s decline, putting up to 600,000 jobs at risk and threatening the economic stability of key manufacturing regions.

The intervention underscores the mounting pressure on Germany’s auto industry, which is struggling with tightening emissions regulations, rising manufacturing costs and a slower than expected transition from internal-combustion-engine to all-electric vehicles. The mayors, who represent cities with deep ties to the sector, contend that unless Brussels rethinks its approach, industrial regions across Germany could suffer lasting economic damage. 

Their joint proposal, titled “For a Strong Automotive Future,” outlines a seven-point action plan that calls for sweeping regulatory changes. Chief among their demands is the repeal of the EU’s planned 2035 ban on ICE vehicles, which they argue should allow for alternative low-emission technologies such as plug-in hybrid drivetrains. 

They also call for an immediate suspension of CO₂ fines for automakers, warning that penalizing manufacturers for missing fleet emissions targets risks further weakening Europe’s industrial competitiveness. At the same time, they urge greater EU investment in hydrogen and battery technology, arguing that without stronger support, Europe will fall behind global rivals in developing the next generation of drivetrains.

“Economic strength comes from innovation, not from bans,” the mayors say in a joint statement. “Europe must restore a culture of industrial leadership and global competitiveness.”

The initiative is being led by Stuttgart Mayor Frank Nopper and Simon Blümcke of Friedrichshafen, alongside Wolfsburg’s Dennis Weilmann and Saarbrücken’s Uwe Conradt. They are joined by city leaders from other key automotive hubs, including Augsburg, Dingolfing, Essen, Ingolstadt, Lippstadt, Neckarsulm, Rastatt, Schweinfurt, Sindelfingen and Zwickau.

The mayors’ warning is the latest sign of growing unease over the pace and direction of Europe’s green transition. Their message: Without immediate policy adjustments, the future of Germany’s automotive industry, and the prosperity of the cities that depend on it, hangs in the balance.

The EU did not immediately reply to a request for comment from WardsAuto.