European automotive supplier body CLEPA CEO Lars Holmqvist, is to undertake a slew of new roles in the car industry following his retirement from the European organisation in April this year.
Holmqvist has been at the head of the powerful supplier body for eight years and was at the forefront of the fight to represent his members’ interests during Saab’s prolonged descent into bankruptcy towards the turn of last year.
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Final details are still being worked out as to the precise details of Holmqvist’s new positions, but among the companies involved will be Eberspacher daughter company Swenox, of which the German organisation holds 76% and French certification agency TK Bleu.
However, the Swede will step away from his role at CLEPA, believing it important to allow new incumbent, Jean-Marc Gales, a free hand at steering the body, which represents around five million European workers.
“I don’t think it is a good idea to be involved in CLEPA any more,” Holmqvist told just-auto from Sweden. “My aim is to take a long summer holiday and a long Christmas break, but I don’t mind working.”
TK Bleu is a certification agency for sustainable transport, funded by the French government and private initiatives, with the State having majority control and Holmqvist will be on its board.
“I am also negotiating to work with one of the major agencies in Brussels as a formal advisor, but we have not finalised that,” added Holmqvist. “The agency is in the automotive sector.”
One of Holmqvist’s major parting shots will be to sort out the acrimonious dispute between CLEPA and the OEMs concerning access by independents to repair and maintenance information, with the supplier chief slamming the vehicle manufacturers’ stance as “protectionist” to just-auto.
The argument looks likely to move rapidly up the European agenda to EU level – CLEPA enjoys access to some of the institution’s most powerful politicians.
