Survival of the fittest; VW, Fiat bosses: Europe must change to compete globally.(European regulations hinders automakers' global competition)(Volkswagen AG's Bernd Pischetsrieder, Fiat Auto (U.K.) Ltd.'s Sergio Marchionne)(Brief article)

Ciferri, Luca; Stein, Jason

Byline: Jason Stein, Luca Ciferri

A leading executive has a blunt message for Europe's struggling automakers: Adapt or die.

Bernd Pischetsrieder, Volkswagen group chairman, said automakers must compete globally but are hindered by European regulations.

"Those that can't adapt will have survival problems," said Pischetsrieder in a keynote address. "Our carmakers can win at home. But we can't win abroad if we don't change our business here."

Regulation burden

Pischetsrieder said European companies compete well at home but find it harder to be ...