Volkswagen Group Takes 'For Europe' Message to Paris, Pressing for Policy Alignment

Volkswagen Group is turning its attention to Brussels and European capitals with a new initiative branded “For Europe,” which CEO Oliver Blume will present at a Paris forum scheduled for 11 October 2026, on the eve of the city’s motor show. France’s Minister Delegate for Industry, Sébastien Martin, is expected to share the stage with Blume, underscoring the group’s intent to pair corporate strategy with political engagement.

At the heart of the agenda is a familiar but increasingly urgent argument: Europe’s industrial base needs coordinated action if it is to hold its ground against global competitors. Blume framed the continent as possessing the raw ingredients for success — manufacturing depth, engineering know-how and a strong innovation pipeline — while warning that geopolitical disruptions and intensifying competitive pressure demand faster decision-making from both companies and governments.

The Volkswagen chief positioned the group’s European roots as central to its long-term identity, describing the region as its home market, a hub for innovation and a foundation for its stated ambition to become a “Global Automotive Tech Driver.” The “For Europe” platform, he indicated, is meant to serve as a catalyst for closer cooperation between industry and policymakers rather than a unilateral corporate wish list.

Three policy areas dominate the discussion: the “Made in Europe” framework, CO₂ regulation, and trade relations with China. Blume’s message was that competitiveness cannot be delegated to one side alone — companies must deliver on their commitments while governments set the conditions that make European manufacturing viable. He argued that decisive, joint action now could sustainably reinforce the region’s position.

The timing places the initiative alongside broader debates about the pace of Europe’s electrification and the pressure on legacy automakers to balance investment at home with exposure to overseas markets. By convening the conversation in Paris with a French government representative present, Volkswagen Group is signalling that its lobbying efforts will run through national capitals as much as through EU institutions.