WDK unveils plans for new European tire lobbying platform 

Frankfurt, Germany – German rubber industry association WDK is planning to establish a new lobbying platform with industry partners in France, Spain and Italy to strengthen the sector's representation.

Speaking at the association's autumn conference 3 Nov, WDK president Michael Klein said the partners were close to establishing the platform, with its formation planned for November.

“Through our new tire platform ReifenDeutschland, we are officially cooperating with the tire association Tyres Europe in Brussels," said Klein.

We are, he went on to add, "close to establishing a new European lobbying platform together with our partner countries France, Spain and Italy.”

The announcement came after the Italian, Spanish and French national tire associations joined Tyres Europe in September to enhance the competitiveness  of the sector. (ERJ report)

At the time, Tyres Europe said the partners established "a framework for greater coordination on sector representation, connecting national expertise with Tyres Europe’s engagement at the European level.”

During his keynote speech, Klein highlighted the importance of strengthening industrial competitiveness and retaining manufacturing capabilities in Germany and Europe.

"Value creation, research and production belong together," he told around 200 delegates.

Germany and Europe, he warned, "must not become regions where innovations are conceived, only to be industrialised elsewhere."

"European industrial policy must strengthen domestic value creation," he added.

To address the issue, the association's proposals include introducing minimum EU-production quotas for motor vehicles.

However, Klein acknowledged that trade restrictions alone would not resolve the industry's competitiveness challenges.

"We are aware that closing the market to China will not sustainably solve our problems," he said.

Drawing on the conference's football theme, Klein added: "A football team doesn't get better simply by taking its opponent off the pitch."

"It has to improve its own game. It has to get better itself."

The WDK president also called for competitive energy prices, faster permit  approval processing, fewer reporting requirements and improved conditions for industrial investment.

"Industrial policy must not stop at funding programmes and Sunday speeches," he said.

Instead, its success should be measured by whether new plants were built, products developed, skilled workers hired and manufacturing sites secured.