Microchip shortage: calling on the Commission to take action to rescue the European automotive industry and take steps to avoid loss of competitiveness and jobs
8.3.2023
Question for written answer E-000782/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Elisabetta De Blasis (ID), Silvia Sardone (ID), Paola Ghidoni (ID), Isabella Tovaglieri (ID), Elena Lizzi (ID), Matteo Gazzini (ID), Paolo Borchia (ID), Rosanna Conte (ID)
The shortage of microchips and semiconductors is placing severe strain on the automotive industry sector. In February, for the second time in 2023, the biggest production facility for vans and commercial vehicles in Europe, the Stellantis Group’s Sevel plant in Atessa (Abruzzo), shut down production because of a lack of these components.
The ongoing issues with the volatile supply of semiconductors from Asian countries are affecting the plant’s competitiveness on the world market. It will not be able to fulfil scheduled orders.
The ‘Chips Act’, which lays down a framework of measures to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor ecosystem and set up a crisis response mechanism, introducing emergency measures, may not come in time, nor may the regulation establishing ‘joint undertakings’ dedicated to the production of semiconductors in Europe.
In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.Does it intend to launch a dialogue in the first half of 2023 with the largest industrial groups in the European automotive sector to protect their production within the Union and promote the creation of electronics industrial districts linked with the automotive sector?
- 2.Does it intend to take further initiatives to avoid a lack of electronic components and microchips leading to a loss of competitiveness for European firms and job losses?
Submitted: 8.3.2023