FACTBOX-Aid packages for Europe's auto industry

Feb 27 (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is
expected to raise the issue of support for Europe's auto
industry at an EU summit on Sunday, when leaders will aim to
bridge differences hampering action on the financial crisis.

Governments from the United States, Asia and Europe are
being pressured to help their carmakers, which have been hurt by
the economic downturn, falling demand and tight credit.

The European Commission is scrutinising car aid plans from
France, Spain and Italy and holding talks with Britain, Sweden
and Germany over their schemes. Following are some details:

* BRITAIN -- Said in January it would guarantee up to 2.3
billion pounds ($3.29 billion) of loans to the car industry. The
government said it would guarantee up to 1.3 billion pounds of
auto industry loans from the European Investment Bank and a
further 1 billion pounds of loans to back investments not
eligible for support from the European lender.

* FRANCE -- Pledged loans of 3 billion euros each to
struggling car makers PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault in return
for an unwritten pledge not to close production sites in France.
The five-year, 6 percent interest rate loans are designed to
fund investment into clean vehicle technologies.

* GERMANY -- Unveiled a 1.5 billion euro aid package on Jan.
13. The package forms part of a 50 billion euro stimulus package
of investments, tax relief and support for companies. The
measures include incentives worth 2,500 euros for new car
purchases.

* ITALY -- Announced a stimulus package for cars on Jan. 5
which includes a payment of as much as 1,500 euros for trading
in an old car to buy a new one. Italian car sales are expected
to fall 17 percent in 2009, after a 13 percent drop in 2008.

* PORTUGAL -- Announced on Dec. 3 a 200 million euro credit
line for auto and car parts exporters.

* SPAIN -- Approved on Feb. 13 a 4 billion euro package that
includes 1.2 billion euros in state credit for car purchases
during 2009 and 2010 and aid to help car and vehicle part makers
upgrade plants. The scheme is part of the government's 70
billion euro economic stimulus plan.

* SWEDEN -- Said on Jan. 22 it had given the National Debt
Office authority to grant emergency loans to the industry.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee)