Jens Gieseke, a member of the European Parliament, expressed concerns, suggesting that allowing pooling with Chinese and US companies could give an unfair advantage to non-European players, thus undermining Europe's automotive sector. The issue is further complicated by political sensitivities. Both Volkswagen and Renault have significant government stakes—Volkswagen is partly owned by the state of Lower Saxony, and Renault has a 15% government share. This makes pooling with Chinese companies a politically delicate matter, as the EU seeks to protect its homegrown industries from external competition. While Volkswagen has stated its intention to meet targets through its own efforts, it acknowledged that pooling may become a last resort if it fails to close the emissions gap. Renault, on the other hand, is optimistic that a new €25,000 model will help increase its EV sales, although it remains undecided about pooling arrangements.