Central and East European automotive sector’s collective voice strengthened as ACEA Automotive Hub launches
Brussels, 16 July 2025 – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in collaboration with the national automotive associations in Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, is pleased to announce the launch of the ACEA Central and Eastern European Automotive Hub (“the Hub”).
The Hub strengthens cooperation between ACEA and national automotive associations to ensure that the voice of the automotive industry in Central and Eastern Europe is best represented in EU policy discussions.
“Central and Eastern Europe is home to around a third of EU vehicle production and employs around two million across the value chain. With the ACEA CEE Automotive Hub, we’re taking an important step toward closer cooperation and ensuring that national insights from this region are better reflected in EU-level discussions”, noted Sigrid de Vries, Director General of ACEA.
Coordinated locally by the Czech Automotive Industry Association (AutoSAP), the CEE Hub will provide structured political intelligence, foster regional coordination, and support strategic outreach on EU legislation affecting the automotive sector.
“This is about making our region an integral part of EU policy conversations — a strategic voice and not just a production base. This is a new kind of collaboration for our region — not just stronger links to Brussels, but stronger links between us. The Hub gives us the structure to work more effectively together and to speak with more clarity when it counts,” stated Zdeněk Petzl, Executive Director of AutoSAP.
Together, these associations represent a region that is not only central to the EU’s industrial fabric but essential to its future competitiveness and economic resilience as Europe transitions towards zero-emission mobility.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in collaboration with the national automotive associations in Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, is pleased to announce the launch of the ACEA Central and Eastern European Automotive Hub (“the Hub”).
Notes to editors
- The ACEA CEE Hub was formalised by a joint Memorandum of Understanding signed by ACEA, AutoSAP (Czechia), PZPM (Poland), ACAROM (Romania) and ZAP SR (Slovakia)
- There are 35 automobile assembly, battery, and engine plants based in Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, around 15% of all EU plants
- Last year, around 1.2 million vehicles were sold in the region, representing around 10% of EU vehicle sales
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on https://www.x.com/ACEA_auto or http://www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/
Contact:
- Ben Kennard, Head of Communications, bk@acea.auto, +32 (0) 2 738 73 17
- Camille Lamarque, Policy Communications Officer, cl@acea.auto, +32 (0) 2 738 73 16
About the EU automobile industry
- 13.2 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 10.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €383.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €106.7 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7.5% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €72.8 billion in R&D spending annually, 33% of EU total
