Labour representatives at Bosch are calling for stronger action from the European Union to protect jobs and manufacturing as the region’s automotive industry faces mounting pressure from Chinese competition, tariffs and high production costs.

Frank Sell, head of the general works council at Bosch’s Mobility unit, which represents around 70,000 German workers, said European policymakers needed to create conditions that would allow manufacturers to remain competitive while retaining production and employment in the region.

“The transformation of our industry will only succeed if we keep value creation and jobs in Europe,” Sell said.

Bosch plans to cut around 13,000 jobs in its core automotive business by the end of the decade, adding to a wave of restructuring across Europe’s car industry. Major manufacturers including Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also facing pressure as weaker demand, elevated production costs, tariffs and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers weigh on the sector.

Sell called for clear “Made in the EU” rules, arguing that European companies need time and regulatory support to adapt to the changing competitive environment.

The European Commission is already examining potential trade measures aimed at protecting European manufacturers from lower-cost Chinese electric vehicle producers. Chinese companies including BYD and Chery have expanded their presence in Europe as growth in their domestic market slows.

The issue has become increasingly important for European policymakers as the bloc seeks to protect its industrial base while maintaining access to global markets and avoiding further trade tensions with Beijing.

EU leaders are expected to discuss the bloc’s widening trade deficit with China next month, with the automotive industry likely to remain a key focus.

The pressure on Bosch and other European automotive companies highlights the broader challenge facing the region: maintaining high-value manufacturing and employment while competing with lower-cost producers and adapting to the rapid transition toward electric vehicles.

For workers, the stakes are significant. The restructuring currently under way across the industry could reshape Europe’s automotive supply chain, with thousands of jobs at manufacturers and suppliers potentially affected as companies seek to reduce costs and remain competitive.