A delegation of ACEA members led by the organisation's chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder is holding talks with the European Commission today, 17 February, to lobby for relaxation of EU regulations which the ACEA says are hitting the automotive sector's ability to compete globally.

According to a report in the German business paper Handelsblatt, the group of ACEA members includes Ford's COO Sir Nick Scheele, Louis Schweitzer of Renault, Giuseppe Morchio of Fiat, and Leif Johansson, CEO of truck maker AB Volvo. They were due to meet the President of the Commission Romano Prodi and four commissioners with responsibilities for trade and industry issues – but not competition commissioner Mario Monti.

Issues to be discussed reportedly included EU policies on chemical waste, pedestrian protection and other safety regulations, some of which are claimed to affect adversely used car sales.

The ending of fixed franchise dealer territories due in October 2005 under the new 1400/2002 block exemption regulation, which the ACEA has been reported to be lobbying to delay, is not apparently on today's meeting agenda.. The ACEA has not commented officially on the delgation's visit.