I believe that, once certain clauses in the current regulation in the sector have been removed, specifically those concerning the freedom to make up to 70% of sales through intermediaries selling several brands of car, the risk arises of increasing the dependency of the manufacturer intermediaries, restricting competition and limiting the options available to consumers on the European car market.

We are in a situation where a large number of intermediaries in the automotive sector, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector, which are more vulnerable, could disappear from the European market, thereby undermining the whole European automotive market.

6. Calls on the Council and Commission to accelerate, simplify and increase financial support for the automotive industry, notably through the European Investment Bank (EIB), and by allowing State guarantees for low-interest loans; urges the Council and Commission to ask for a simplification of the administrative procedure for loan applications; considers that this financial support, notably via loans, should help to stimulate demand for new vehicles, to the benefit of economic growth, the environment and road safety;

25. Supports the EU objective of reducing CO2 emissions to 120g/km by 2012; calls on the Commission to encourage similar initiatives through its Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and bilateral FTAs; stresses that the automotive industry plays a significant role in the reduction of emissions globally; stresses that only a holistic and international approach will significantly lower CO2 emissions; believes, however, that the benefits of EU environmental regulations in the automotive sector would spread well beyond EU markets; stresses that research into second generation biofuels and alternative fuels, road safety performance, the ...[+++] setting of international standards and incentives to retire most polluting vehicles must be factored into the EU strategy;

The Commission will propose a package of measures to improve the environmental performance of cars by promoting clean and energy efficient vehicles including a Directive on the procurement of such vehicles, new vehicle standards, and increasing the use of biofuels.

6. Commission Notice on the clarification of the activities of motor vehicle intermediaries (OJ No C 329, 18. 12. 1991, p. 20).