Brussels - Europe's biggest carmakers were holding emergency talks with the European Union's industry commissioner in Brussels on Wednesday to call for more EU support during the financial crisis.

"In today's difficult operating environment ... the European automotive industry more than ever requires a stable and predictable policy framework to ensure competitiveness and employment, while sustaining safety and environmental progress," a press release from umbrella auto organization ACEA said.

At the talks, EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen was set to meet ACEA head Christian Streiff, together with the heads of major manufacturers such as Daimler, Fiat and Volvo.

The meeting comes three weeks after European auto makers demanded a 40-billion-euro (51-billion-dollar) loan to support their industry in the move towards cleaner vehicles. That call was prompted by a 25-billion-dollar loan from the United States government to US car makers.

And it comes as EU member states are arguing over a legislative proposal aimed at forcing car manufacturers to produce less environmentally damaging cars.

France, Germany and Italy, in particular, oppose the proposal, saying that it would make European carmakers uncompetitive. (dpa)