The automotive sector is often considered the engine room of Europe. The EU is home to all the competitive and innovative automotive industry that generates movements throughout the economy: from the supply of raw materials and components, to research and development and production, to sales and after-sales services. Manufacturers have trained and developed a highly skilled workforce, producing quality products for domestic and international markets. The automotive industry supports over 2 million jobs in Europe and another 10 million citizens employed in associated industries. Exports are estimated at over 70 billion euros per year. The automotive industry has also established itself as a partner in sustainability. Technological advances that have brought real-time solutions, reducing harmful emissions from industrial products and production sites. Manufacturers have driven significant improvements in vehicle safety and achieved social responsibility goals. The main purpose and some of the key facts associated with the European automotive industry are as follows: Manufacturing in Europe: Vehicle manufacturing is a strategic sector in the EU, where 18.4 million vehicles are produced cars, vans, trucks and bus. All OEMs collectively operate 208 vehicle assembly and manufacturing plants in 22 countries across Europe. Skilled job creation: Around 13 million people work in this sector, which represents 5.3% of the country's total employed population 'EU. The 3 million highly skilled jobs in automotive production correspond to 10% of EU manufacturing employment. Boosting economic growth: the €839 billion turnover generated by the automotive sector represents around 7% of the EU's GDP EU. The auto industry has expanding effects across… half of the paper… Additionally, last month GM decided to withdraw the Chevrolet brand from Europe at the end of 2016, meaning competitors will be able to try to win part of Chevrolet's annual sales of approximately 175,000 units in the region. Europe, with nearly 300 factories in 2012 stretching from the tip of Spain to deepest Russia, has done only half its homework. Its recovery has been hampered by politicians who want to keep plants open to protect jobs. So its rebound is weaker and will be less profitable. Losses will ease this year, but they won't disappear completely. “We still believe that there is too much capacity and that the measures in place will not be sufficient to return the sector to profitability unless we see a strong market recovery. And that's not what we're going to see this year," says Falk Frey, senior vice president at Moody's, who forecasts a 3% recovery for Western Europe. (CLARK, 2014)