PARIS, FRANCE - The European car industry cannot expect to be treated in a similar way to the financial sector and countries must not offer automakers unfair incentives, the EU competition commissioner said on Tuesday.

Neelie Kroes added that she was in touch with Germany about problems in its auto industry, saying the Germans had put forward some "wise" thoughts, but adding that it was "too early to explain what the results are".

The struggling European auto sector has called for up to 40 billion euros (S$77.4 billion) of aid to help it counter the economic downturn, and the European Commission is set to announce a broad package of stimulus measures on Nov. 26.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; editing by Darren Ennis)

Video: Big 3 automakers plead for help