US carmakers have warned that European Union (EU) rules are restricting large pick-up trucks, heightening tensions around an EU-US trade agreement still awaiting ratification.
According to a report by the Financial Times (FT), the disagreement centres on the EU’s Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) system.
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The IVA system is a UK and EU inspection framework that verifies specialised, imported or self-built vehicles comply with safety and environmental requirements before being allowed on the road.
Andrew Puzder, the US Ambassador to the EU, told the FT that proposed changes to EU safety rules could jeopardise the trade deal if they restrict access for American vehicles.
The framework currently allows a limited number of customised or low-volume vehicles to be imported under relatively relaxed compliance requirements.
In 2024, about 7,000 US SUVs and pick-up trucks entered the European market through this route, data from Transport & Environment cited in the report showed.
The European Commission is now working on revisions to the IVA scheme, with changes expected to come into force in 2027.
US carmakers argue that the tighter rules could effectively block models such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 from being sold in Europe.
The issue has surfaced alongside a wider EU-US trade agreement concluded last year but still awaiting ratification.
Under the proposed terms, the EU agreed to cut tariffs on US vehicles from 10% to zero, while the US would reduce duties on European car imports from 27.5% to 15%.
“Right now Europe is in a better position than the US,” said an executive at a Detroit-based carmaker to FT, referring to the tariff imbalance and potential regulatory barriers.
Industry body the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis, has urged US authorities to challenge the proposed revisions.
The European Commission began reviewing the IVA framework in 2024, citing concerns that current rules may allow vehicles that do not fully meet safety standards onto European roads.
Meanwhile, Transport & Environment has cautioned that a higher presence of large US pick-up trucks could pose risks to pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
Data cited in the report showed that Stellantis-owned Ram accounted for nearly 5,200 of the US pick-up trucks sold in Europe last year.
