The organisation also outlined its two priorities for 2011: sustainable mobility including improvements in road safety, and EU industrial policy or the aim to enhance the global competitiveness of the EU economy and the automotive industry in particular.

'The European automobile industry is recovering from the financial and economic crisis, but the macro economic circumstances in Europe remain very challenging,' said Mr Zetsche. 'Nevertheless, we've stayed in the fast lane on our way to sustainable mobility.'

The ACEA said its members have particularly welcomed the European Commission's relaunch last month of the CARS 21 process. CARS 21, or "Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century", aims to strengthen competitiveness and safeguard employment in the automotive sector in Europe, and to establish an efficient framework for the development and market uptake of clean and energy efficient vehicles.

Mr Zetsche said: 'It is a positive sign of commitment that the group of participating EU Commissioners has been enlarged. This paves the way for truly integrated and cohesive policy making, which will benefit the EU economy and society as a whole.'