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CLEPA supports ambitious mobility vision outlined by the European Commission today

Brussels, 31 May 2017

 

The European Commission publishes its communication “Europe on the move – An agenda for a socially fair transition towards clean, competitive and connected mobility for all”.

 

CLEPA, the European association of the automotive supply industry, supports the ambition of the European Commission to keep the European transport sector, and the European automotive industry in particular, at the forefront of shaping the global mobility of the future.

European automotive component suppliers lead the world in technologies for efficient, low-emissions vehicles and invest heavily in the development of connected and automated driving. A large variety of technology solutions will be required to meet society’s ever more diverse mobility needs.

“The EU is tasked with making the best possible use of its manufacturing base in the global race for competitiveness and technology leadership, building on the strengths of the home-base to achieve its environmental goals and boast a strong innovative automotive manufacturing sector as well”, said Sigrid de Vries, secretary general of CLEPA. Funding support by Member States and the EU for R&D (in particular through Horizon 2020 and CEF, the connecting Europe facility) matching the substantial investment of the private sector, will continue to play and important role too.

 

Holistic policy approach

The EC communication “Europe on the move – An agenda for a socially fair transition towards clean, competitive and connected mobility for all” published today, promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach toward tackling the challenges and opportunities offered by the fast transition to smart, safe and sustainable mobility.

CLEPA welcomes the involvement of all stakeholders in the process of informed decision-making, including international, European, national and local public authorities, trade unions, industry and civil society at-large. In particular, it is crucial to prevent local or national regulations contradicting each other leading to fragmentation across the European Union.

Similarly, CLEPA urges the need to maintain close links and cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, a leading forum for worldwide harmonised standards.  Global technical harmonisation fosters international trade of vehicles and parts and contributes to preserve Europe’s leading position in manufacturing.

 

Inclusive, technology-neutral climate strategy

CLEPA calls on the European Commission to avoid isolated environmental policies for road transport, but extend the comprehensive approach to climate, air quality and digitalisation policies, as part of a holistic strategy covering other key sectors of the economy as well.

Technological neutrality should remain the key principle for legislation: this will ensure the widespread innovation across all promising CO2-reduction paths, including alternative powertrains as well as clean and efficient combustion engine technology and advanced alternative fuels.

 


 

For more information, please contact: Amalia Di Stefano, Chief Global Governmental Affairs & Communication Officer (a.distefano@clepa.be).

CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers. Over 120 of the world’s most prominent suppliers for car parts, systems and modules and 23 National trade associations and European sector associations are members of CLEPA, representing more than 3 thousand companies, employing more than 5 million people and covering all products and services within the automotive supply chain. Based in Brussels, Belgium, CLEPA is recognised as the natural discussion partner by the European Institutions, United Nations and fellow associations (ACEA, JAMA, MEMA, etc.).

Facts about the European automotive industry

  • Some 12 million people are employed in the European automotive industry
  • European automotive suppliers directly employ 5 million people
  • European automotive suppliers invest €22bn in RDI per year. They are the biggest private investor into research and innovation
  • Per year, 18 million vehicles are manufactured in Europe, contributing to the stability and growth of the European economy

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