<p>The automotive industry plays an important role in achieving the global climate targets. The EU has adopted ambitious restrictions for vehicle emissions, setting fleet-wide reduction targets, while granting automotive companies significant flexibility in meeting these targets. Strategic responses display a broad range of actions reflecting both genuine and escape strategies. A comprehensive framework is applied in the study to evaluate the typical management actions taken by automotive companies. Content analysis of company reports and sectoral reports revealed a wide variety of management strategies, which extend beyond previously known strategies. Only some of these strategies can be expected to reduce global emissions, whereas creative solutions for carbon governance only ensure compliance with emission targets without leading to global CO₂ emission reduction. Based on the results of this study the efficiency of the regulation may be questioned.</p><p><b>Highlights</b><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>Automotive manufacturers are challenged by the European fleet-wide CO₂ emission targets</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Strategies were identified that function as escape strategies while maintaining global carbon emissions levels</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>The results of the analysis question the efficiency of the regulation</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p>