Volkswagen chief backs EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ plan to fend off cheap Chinese cars

Oliver Blume, chief executive of Volkswagen, has publicly backed the European Union’s “Made in Europe” proposal, a plan intended to strengthen domestic automotive manufacturing.

The initiative seeks to reward vehicles that are engineered, assembled and sold within Europe – a move Blume says is needed to counter the rapid rise of lower‑price Chinese brands. He added that the rules “must reward real value creation”.

Although some critics warn the measures could raise prices for consumers, Blume argues the proposal will level the playing field and give European manufacturers a genuine competitive edge.

The endorsement from Volkswagen’s boss adds weight to the EU’s push for stricter standards and signals that the European car industry is prepared to meet the price‑war challenge head‑on.