The CARS 21 High Level Group and its objectives in many ways symbolise the European
Commission’s main policy aims: the central strategic objective of the European institutions is
to work towards creating long–term prosperity in Europe through the restoration of
sustainable and dynamic growth and jobs. The CARS 21 initiative is an attempt to translate
this “mission statement” into reality through an in-depth approach to one of the key sectors of
the European economy: the automotive industry.

It is primarily the private sector which creates the growth and jobs necessary for the continued
well-being of the European continent. The main role of the industrial policy developed by the
public sector is to provide the right framework conditions for enterprise development and
innovation so as to make the EU an attractive place for industrial investment and job creation.
In order to ensure that regulatory construction in the European Union acts as an enabler for
private enterprise, Vice-President Verheugen has launched a comprehensive review of
Community legislation with the aim of increasing the dynamism of the European economy
and ensuring that the regulatory framework is supportive of 21st century business needs.

The following objectives have been identified as being of particular relevance to the
productivity and competitiveness of European industry:

• ensuring an open and competitive Single Market, including competition

• knowledge, such as research, innovation, and skills

• better regulation

• ensuring synergies between competitiveness, energy and environmental policies

• ensuring full and fair participation in global markets

• facilitating social and economic cohesion

 

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