Automotive companies from Europe have appealed to the EU leadership to revive cars that have always been in high demand - cheap and simple gasoline-powered small cars. And, despite the course towards full electrification, their opinion seems to have finally been heard and taken at the most serious level. Ursula von der Leyen has announced that the EU leadership will offer the industry cooperation within the framework of the new "Affordable Small Cars" initiative.
Manufacturers fear that the policy of abandoning ICE by 2035 will make cars unaffordable for most buyers, as well as lead to a drop in profits and a large reduction in jobs. Moreover, the current economic situation in Europe already requires the appearance of good old inexpensive small cars.
Automakers see a way out by abandoning some expensive ADAS elements, which are currently mandatory for installation in all cars. For example, the lane keeping option is not critical for small city cars; instead, you can simply limit the maximum speed. A new regulation for budget cars could help update the European car fleet, the average age of cars in which is 12 years.