Spain says EU Emission Rules will hurt its Carmakers
Date: 14-Mar-06
Country: SPAIN
Industry Minister Jose Montilla said Spain supported the development of new rules to reduce car emissions but had asked Brussels to take into account the economic impact of any changes.
"The emission limits established in the proposal could have a serious impact on the Spanish car industry," Montilla told the Commission in Brussels, according to a ministry statement.
Car makers in Spain have already warned that the European Commission's so-called "Euro 5" proposals, which would force producers to fit filters and catalytic converters to all vehicles, would raise prices by between 600 and 1,200 euros.
"From an economic point of view, the installation of these mechanisms harms above all vehicles in the medium and low (price) range - precisely those made in Spain," said Spanish car makers association, ANFAC.
Spain is Europe's third biggest carmaker, producing almost 3 million vehicles in 2005.
The Euro 5 proposals would require an 80 percent cut in particulate matter from diesel cars and a 20 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOX) from current levels. For petrol-run cars, NOX would have to fall 20 percent and hydrocarbon emissions by 25 percent.
The proposals, which must be approved by EU member states and lawmakers, could enter into force by mid-2008.