[REPORT]
The European Motorshow 2008
Brussels’ European Motorshow, formerly known as the Salon de l’Auto et de la Moto, has grown to become a major event for manufacturers, resellers and the public. For the 86th edition of the Motorshow FEBIAC has launched several initiatives aiming at bringing the debate beyond the cars and motorcycles on display.
Febiac, the Belgian car and cycle federation founded in 1899, represents the manufacturers and importers of the automotive sector and hosts the Motorshow since 1902.
The need for sustainable mobility in our cities is generating an intense debate as manufacturers develop the vehicles of the next generation. Febiac addressed these challenges with three initiatives. The first, Powered by nature, was an exhibition explaining the advantages and assets of new technologies such as hydrogen engines, fuel cells, biocarburants, and hybrid vehicles. Clean Moves Brussels on efficient mobility solutions and "Je roule e-positif" (I drive e-positive), on how to reduce fuel consumption, a FEBIAC project involving 150 car drivers who had to learn how to drive in a more efficient and sustainable way. Volunteers trained by FEBIAC were to adopt ten recommendations which allow the drivers to reduce by eight percent their fuel consumption as well as the CO2 emissions of their vehicles. The final results of this project have been presented during the Brussels Motorshow (read more on www.e-positief.be).
On their part motorcycle manufacturers showcased their innovations for sustainable mobility in cities, like Piaggio’s MP3 hybrid engine and a whole array of Yamaha mopeds with electric and fuel cell solutions.
The Brussels Motorshow moreover confirmed its role as an eminent marketing tool. For the first time PTW manufacturers chose Brussels for the world premiere of new models. Harley Davidson unveiled the FLSTSB Softail Cross Bones, a new interpretation of the authentic Bobber, and the Buell XB12XT.
Probably the most successful event from a policy point of view was the first edition of the European Automotive Forum, a conference during which various distinguished speakers tackled CO2 and the many solutions necessary to reduce emissions in a durable and profitable way. More than 400 attendees as well as the international press attended the Forum. The success of this initiative illustrates perfectly FEBIAC’s ambition, which intends to make the Show a platform where the automotive industry meets European policy makers.
Links:
[INDEX]
ACEM'S POSITION ON GREEN PAPER ON URBAN MOBILITY
OPEN LETTER ON EUROPEAN INFRASTRUCTURE DIRECTIVE
MAIDS AND TRACE-PROJECT
1000 SUPPORT ROADSAFETY CHARTER
In 1899 the Belgian manufacturers and their subcontractors founded the "Chambre Syndicale de l'Automobile et des Industries qui s'y rattachent" (Trade-body of the Car and related Industries) as the federation that one day would flow into Belgium’s automotive trade association. By the end of the First World War, it changed name to become the "Association of the Manufacturers of Cars and Cycles of Belgium", while a new entity, the "Belgian Federation of the Motor-car industry and Cycle", FEBIAC, was born in 1936 as an association of the foreign manufacturers established in Belgium. The two associations merged in 1969.
On March 8, 1902, the trade body opened its first cycle and motorshow. However Brussels had already hosted some cycle exhibitions, where also some cars appeared.
In 1970, FABRIMETAL (now Agoria) and FEBIAC, both representing car manufacturers, signed a protocol specifying respective attributions and tasks of each one. This protocol was updated in 1984.
In 1977 car importers agree on exclusive FEBIAC membership and in 1982, a similar agreement is by the manufacturers and importers of commercial vehicles and, one year later, by the manufacturers and importers of Powered Two-wheelers. In 1983, the members of the "Chamber of employers of the Belgian Manufacturers of Accessories and Parts for Cycles" and of the "Association of the Importers and general Représentants of the Cycle" became in their turn members of FEBIAC.
FEBIAC currently represents the manufacturers and the importers of road vehicles and of their industrial suppliers, and one of Belgium’s oldest and most important trade associations. Since 1994 Febiac is a member of ACEM.