GUE/NGL MEP Sabine Wils has described a report adopted today on reducing the CO2 emissions from passenger cars as “in thrall to the interests of the premium German car manufacturers BMW and Mercedes.”

MEP Wils said: “The Regulation is not very ambitious. A weak regulation with a phase-in model and flexible super-credits will lead to thousands of tonnes of avoidable CO2 emissions as well as continued fuel price hikes for consumers. We are not seeing the changes that are necessary and feasible to make the automobile industry more environment- and climate- friendly.”

She continued: “Commissioner Hedegaard tried to play down the regulations' weak character by pointing to the next regulation for the post-2020 period. However, the signs sent out by today's vote suggest something else: backroom deals pay off. BMW donated almost one million euro to the former German coalition parties CDU/CSU and FDP in autumn 2013 as a 'thank you' for maintaining a position in the Council that was favourable to manufacturers. Once again the EU legislative process ensures that the interests of huge companies are not harmed.”