European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) president, Sergio Marchionne, says he is far more confident the latest CARS 21 initiative will succeed following his disappointment and scepticism at its predecessor five years ago.
Presenting the outcome of the CARS 21 session that groups together the main players in Europe’s auto industry in Brussels last night (6 June), Marchionne hailed progress made since the last major CARS 21 initiative.
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In particular, the group pledged to reinforce European Investment Bank lending to industry, support market access through trade negotiations and work on regulatory convergence to achieve global car type approval.
“I am a victim, I was a participant in the first CARS 21 programme completed five years ago,” said Marchionne, flanked by European Commission vice president, Antonio Tajani. “We played through a process thereafter, which was less than stellar.
“We started this process with some scepticism but now we embrace this process and hold all of ourselves accountable. Walking out of here with a piece of paper means nothing – delivering is crucial.”
The CARS 21 meeting in the Belgian capital also provided recommendations for progress on electro-mobility, road safety, market access strategy and a review of CO2 emissions from cars and vans.
Marchionne’s concern the Brussels meeting should achieve far more than its former incarnation also comes against a worsening backdrop of European automotive performance – particularly in southern Mediterranean countries – although the high-level discussions relentlessly pointed out the industry continues to employ 12m people – both in the supply chain and OEMs – despite fears surrounding over-capacity in a downturn.
“The CARS 21 report provides useful input for the important strategic vision for the automotive industry in 2020, which we will present after the summer,” said Tajani, who is also European Commissioner for industry.
“But the automotive industry needs to be in good shape first in order to realise this vision. We therefore need to act now and decisively in order to counter current economic difficulties by mobilising finance for research, carefully evaluating any new regulation and supporting the expansion on third markets.”
