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Brussels – Slovenia is closely following developments in the European automotive industry, which is facing difficulties, the State Secretary at the Slovenian Ministry of Economic Affairs Matevž Frangež said upon arriving at a meeting of EU ministers responsible for competitiveness. He stressed that efforts must be made to strengthen Slovenia’s position in the automotive industry, in which they are communicating with various stakeholders.
According to Frangež, Slovenia had expected the European automotive industry to face structural challenges due to the arrival of new technologies and new competition. They are monitoring the situation at the market level, key for Slovenia, and at the level of key customers of the Slovenian automotive industry, he said.
He explained that the Slovenian state has already supported two strategic initiatives aimed at the transition of the automotive industry to electric mobility. The first is the GREMO (Green Mobility) mission, which the Slovenian automotive industry has established as a commitment to green and digital transformation by 2030. The second is the strategic intention signed in July with the Renault group to produce a new generation of electric Twingo at the Revoz factory in Novo mesto, southeastern Slovenia.
“Of course, we need to ask ourselves how we will support industries that will face a decline in orders as a result,” the State Secretary further emphasized.
He added that the ministry, as part of enhanced communication with the European automotive ecosystem, Slovenian manufacturers, and key national institutions, is considering measures to strengthen Slovenia’s position in the automotive industry despite the major transformation.
The ministerial meeting took place in the shadow of the problems of the European automotive sector, with the German giant Volkswagen also troubled. Developments in the German automotive industry also strongly affect the economies of many other members, including Slovenia. (September 26)