She suggested that implementing quotas could redirect a greater proportion of contracts towards European businesses
Benner highlighted the mounting pressure on smaller suppliers, who she says are facing difficulties accessing credit and securing favourable ratings She stressed the potential impact on employment and argued for proactive governmental intervention
Beyond local content, Benner also put forward two further proposals concerning the automotive industry She called for a comprehensive lifecycle assessment to be included in the calculation of vehicle carbon emissions, rather than solely focusing on tailpipe emissions Benner believes a pragmatic approach to emissions accounting is necessary, arguing that technologies like plug-in hybrids and range extenders utilizing alternative fuels should be recognized as contributing to decarbonization efforts
Finally, Benner championed the concept of “social leasing” to make electric vehicles accessible to households with modest and medium incomes She proposed utilizing tax incentives to stimulate demand, advocating for supportive framework conditions instead of focusing on deadlines and target dates, particularly in relation to the planned phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035
