According to Reuters and several other news outlets, American carmakers are raising fresh concerns that upcoming European Union safety regulations could significantly restrict the availability of full-size US bakkies (pickup trucks) on European roads.
Manufacturers including Ford, General Motors and Stellantis warn that proposed changes to the EU’s Individual Vehicle Approval system risk shutting out popular models such as the Ford F 150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. They argue that this would contradict the spirit of the EU United States trade agreement concluded last year, although not yet ratified by the bloc.
The Individual Vehicle Approval scheme currently allows a limited number of vehicles designed for non-EU markets to be imported without meeting every European technical requirement. Around 7,000 American bakkies and SUVs entered the EU through this route in 2024, representing less than 0.1 per cent of the market, with nearly 5,200 of these being Ram models. Transport and Environment, a leading European clean transport organisation, has warned that expanding the presence of large US bakkies could increase risks to pedestrians and cyclists and undermine air quality efforts.
EU regulators argue that the planned tightening of the system, expected to take effect in 2027, is intended to close safety gaps rather than impose a ban on American vehicles. The European Commission’s review focuses on ensuring imported models meet updated safety and environmental standards, particularly those involving vehicle size, weight and pedestrian impact. These changes follow concerns that current rules allow vehicles on European roads that were designed without considering EU specific safety requirements.
US officials, however, say restricting bakkies could amount to a breach of trust within the trade deal. Andrew Puzder, the US ambassador to the EU, has argued that the proposed rule changes could violate the understanding reached in August between both sides, as the agreement was meant to reduce non-tariff barriers and allow mutual recognition of vehicle standards. The American Automotive Policy Council, representing Ford, GM and Stellantis, has urged Washington to challenge the revisions, arguing that the tightened rules would disproportionately affect US built vehicles.
Despite the political tension, the commercial impact may be modest due to Europe’s limited appetite for oversized bakkies. While US sales of the Ford F Series exceed 800,000 units annually, European imports number only in the low thousands. Analysts note that the dispute is less about market scale and more about regulatory alignment and the symbolism of fair market access during a delicate period of transatlantic trade relations.
The EU is expected to finalise its updated requirements later this year. Until then, lobbying from both sides is likely to intensify as American carmakers attempt to secure continued access for their largest and most iconic bakkies.
