The new trade dispute emerged as GM and its Detroit rivals oppose proposed European regulations that could further limit overseas sales of full-size American pickup trucks.
According to reports from Financial Timesthe issue centers on vehicles like the Chevy Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500, all of which have long struggled to gain a foothold in Europe.
At the heart of the problem is the European Union’s Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA), which gives the green light for a number of non-compliant or low-volume vehicles to be imported with relaxed standards. It is estimated that around 7,000 SUVs and pickup trucks were imported into Europe via IVA during the 2024 calendar year, and this represents only a small portion of the total market (less than 0.1 percent). Ram pickups accounted for most of this number, namely 5,200 units of total sales. GM is currently aiming to expand overseas sales of its trucks in Europe through the GMSV.
But now, it is reported that the European Commission will update the IVA regulations, and the revisions will take effect in 2027. US automakers argue that the changes could effectively block the small number of full-size trucks currently sold in the region.
GM, along with Ford and Stellantis, has argued that tighter regulations could undermine a broader trade agreement between the US and the EU being finalized in 2025. The broader agreement, which has not yet been ratified by the EU, includes tariff reductions, with the EU agreeing to eliminate a 10 percent tariff on US-made vehicles, while the US will lower tariffs on European imports to 15 percent.
Industry groups such as the American Automotive Policy Council, whose members include GM, Ford, and Stellantis, oppose tightening IVA rules, and have called on the Trump administration to block the effort. Meanwhile, European regulators and advocacy organizations argue that the proposed changes are in the interest of safety, stating that bringing US “monster” pickup trucks to European roads could potentially endanger cyclists, pedestrians and other motorists, especially due to the high hood lines used on the vehicles.
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