Volvo will leave the Europe’s ACEA car industry group before the end of 2022, the Chinese-owned automaker has announced. The company is gearing up to become an EV-only brand in 2030 and claims its philosophy is at odds with the that of the ACEA lobby group.
Prior to the EU’s decision to impose a 100 reduction of CO2 emissions by 2035, effectively killing off the combustion engine, the ACEA had expressed concern that EU policy makers had rejected requests to ease back on the target. But Volvo, along with several other auto brands, including, Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen, had backed the proposals.
“We have concluded that Volvo Cars’ sustainability strategy and ambitions are not fully aligned with ACEA’s positioning and way of working at this stage,” the company said in a statement.
“We therefore believe it is better to take a different path for now,” the carmaker added. “What we do as a sector will play a major role in deciding whether the world has a fighting chance to curb climate change.”
Related: Every Single 2023MY Volvo Sold In America Will Be Electrified
Speaking to journalists last month before the ACEA departure announcement, Volvo CEO Jim Rowan (pictured above) seemed to be hinting that Volvo might be open to joining any new group that might be set up to represent carmakers with climate-positive goals and mindsets.
The move makes Volvo the second major departure from the ACEA lobby group in only a matter of weeks. In June Stellantis announced it was parting company with the ACEA by the end of this year to move away from traditional lobbying activity and to adopt a new strategy to address the challenges of future mobility.
“While the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) respects the decision of Stellantis to withdraw its membership of the association at the end of this year, we regret to see them leave,” the ACEA said in a statement last month in response to the Stellantis bombshell. “We remain committed to act as a strong common voice of EU-based car, truck, van and bus makers.”
