BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- EU regulators called Thursday for member states to discuss their plans to help carmakers as it revealed France has been discussing possible subsidies for the industry, which has been hit hard by the economic downturn.
EU spokesman Jonathan Todd declined to give details on the French talks, saying there were several ways the country could help out troubled carmakers without breaking EU rules that restrict large cash injections to companies.
The European Commission will Friday hold talks with all 27 EU governments to look at the car industry's "deteriorating situation" and discuss what they are doing and how they should coordinate help for carmakers.
European car manufacturers said Thursday sales fell to a 15-year low last year as people avoided major purchases on recession fears.