"To unleash the innovative potential of the European automotive industry" call on the European Union to ACEA and CLEPA, at the second Strategic Automotive Dialogue conference held today in Brussels.
In particular, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association focused on innovation, criticizing the Commission for the bureaucracy that limits competitiveness at a global level.
For more than a century, European vehicle manufacturers and car suppliers have been at the forefront of research and technology development. But their burdensome bureaucracy puts them at risk of falling behind their global competitors as digital technology becomes an increasingly large part of our vehicles.
At today's Strategic Dialogue working conference with European Commissioner Virkkunen, we urged the EU to remove administrative barriers and reduce excessive compliance requirements to unleash the innovative potential of the European automotive sector.
The comparative advantage
European vehicle manufacturers and suppliers are strong R&D players at the cutting edge of their sector. They enjoy an enviable reputation worldwide for their innovation. As an example, our industry is making steady progress in the development of automated vehicles. Cars that park themselves, trucks that drive themselves around loading bays: these applications are already a reality.
"The EU must provide incentives and not hinder our comparative advantage. Automated vehicles are the next frontier and an area where we can lead. But to achieve this we need conditions conducive to the creation of a strong digital industrial base," said Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). "It is also surprising that at a time when the Commission is conducting a strategic dialogue with industry to improve its competitiveness, it is actually withdrawing the proposal for standardised basic patents, which is essential for the competitiveness and leadership of the automotive industry.
"The US and other countries are investing massively in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing and are leading the way in terms of digital markets. Europe needs to respond with a bold approach to ensure a thriving market for digital mobility services and ensure sufficient investment so that the next generation of connected and automated vehicles can be developed here," said Benjamin Krieger, secretary general of CLEPA, the European Automobile Suppliers Association. "The EU needs to strengthen the semiconductor and electric car ecosystem, promote R&D and foster global partnerships and a single market for autonomous vehicles. To promote sustainable mobility and digitalisation, balanced funding of the 10th Framework Programme and strong support for industry is essential."
