The European automotive sector employs 3.5 million workers.

Omissions

• The 3.5 million figure refers specifically to direct and indirect jobs in automotive MANUFACTURING, not the total workforce of the sector's full value chain. The European Commission states that around 13.8 million people work in the wider EU automotive sector when sales, maintenance and related activities are included.
• The figure is a broad official estimate (European Commission / ACEA) and varies slightly over time (ACEA earlier cited 3.5 million manufacturing jobs in its Pocket Guide 2021-2022, representing 11.6% of EU manufacturing employment; more recent EC data puts direct+indirect manufacturing jobs at 3.5 million, ~8.5% of total manufacturing employment).
• The claim cites no specific source or reference year; the data are the standard official estimates published by the European Commission (DG GROW) and ACEA.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Automotive industry (single market economy)Employment - around 13.8 million people work in the EU automotive sector. Manufacturing (direct and indirect) accounts for 3.5 million jobs, sales and maintenance ...
• SecondaryACEA — Safeguarding a thriving & competitive industryDirect and indirect employment for 13.8 million Europeans (6.1% of the EU ... EU manufacturing employment (3.5 million jobs).
• SecondaryACEA — Automobile Industry Pocket Guide 2021-2022Direct & indirect automotive manufacturing employment. 3.5 million people. = 11.6% of EU employment in manufacturing.