[REPORT]
Commissioner Verheugen discussed with ACEM the effects of the economic crisis on the PTW industry
An ACEM delegation reports the industry's difficulties bringing forward latest figures on the sector
During a meeting with Vice President of the European Commission Günter Verheugen in charge of enterprise and industry, held in Brussels on June 23, Acem President Stefan Pierer has reiterated the need to apply the same anticrisis measures to the PTW (powered two-wheelers) sector that have already been adopted for the automobile sector.
The ACEM delegation composed by Mr Pierer, Thomas Weber, ACEM Vice President and Hendrick von Kuenheim, BMW Motorrad CEO, presented the Commission with a currrent analysis of the European PTW sector during the economic crisis [read article].
Presented with the challenging reality of the PTW sector, Mr Verheugen agreed on the principle that the PTW industry should receive similar treatment than the car sector under Communication from the Commission “Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry”. This includes scrapping schemes supporting demand through fleet renewal and easier access to finance for companies, including suppliers and dealers. Moreover DG Enterprise will study how to best integrate the PTW sector in upcoming EC initiatives, such as instruments for the production of greener and safer products and research partnerships on the mobility of the future under the 7th Research Framework Programme.
One other important item on the agenda was the on-coming PTW technical regulation, which will be issued by the European Commission in the spring of 2010. This regulation could prove detrimental to the PTW industry if not carefully weighed against industry possibilities and market acceptance, as reflected by ACEM’s proposals.
ACEM would welcome measures supporting the PTW industry by:
- Introducing flexibility in addressing the deployment on advanced braking systems through the ACEM voluntary commitment on Advanced Braking Systems [read more];
- Adopting realism in implementing motorcycle Euro 4 and Euro 5 through the industry proposals, which correspond to what manufacturers can achieve collectively [read more];
- Proposing an appropriate and reasonable timeframe;
- Associating the PTW sector to CARS 21, or developing a similar dedicated approach, for the PTW technical regulation and for the planning of future legislation.
A specific reference to the PTW sector in the follow-up EC initiatives to COM (2009) 104 would be the first step towards the creation of a stable regulatory framework for the future of this industry. Furthermore Member States’ initiatives should include the PTW sector, in particular regarding:
- Scrapping schemes, supporting demand through fleet renewal;
- Access to finance for companies (manufacturers, suppliers, dealers) and consumers;
- Instruments such as loans, subsidised guarantees and subsidised loans for the production of “greener” products (particularly green technologies such as fuel efficiency and alternative propulsion) and “safer” products, through the European Investment Bank and the 7th Research Framework Programme;
- Research partnership between the public and private sector, on the mobility of the future, in line with preparatory work done under the 7th Research Framework Programme;
- Safeguarding skills and employment and minimising social costs;
- Open markets and fair competition world-wide, in particular ensuring that no trade restrictions are created.
Scrapping schemes are an opportunity to stimulate demand, with immediate benefits for the environment and road safety as new vehicles replace the older fleet. Some initiative was taken by Italy and Spain, in the sense of a scrapping scheme for mopeds and motorcycles, and the effect on the Italian market has been encouraging so far. Spain recently adopted a complex incentives scheme involving the Government, local authorities and manufacturers. Further delays in the implementation of these measures might bring negative structural effects to the whole sector, with direct effects on employment.
Demand can be further stimulated if the consumer is able to access loans in view of the purchase of a new PTW. In these difficult times, access to finance needs also to be ensured for companies (manufacturers, suppliers, dealers) to enable them to face current difficulties. For manufacturers, instruments such as loans, subsidised guarantees and subsidised loans for the production of “greener” (particularly green technologies such as fuel efficiency and alternative propulsion) and “safer” products, are particularly important in order to look beyond the crisis and continue developing R&D activities.
Following the encouraging outcome of the discussions with Mr Verheugen, Stefan Pierer stated: “Manufacturers are responding to difficulties and seeking to minimize the impact on people. But times are difficult and external support is necessary. We welcome Mr Verheugen’s positive response and look forward to continuing the cooperation with DG Enterprise. In this critical economic context it is crucial not to burden the PTW sector with unrealistic regulatory constraints”.
The PTW industry and the crisis: Read the article.
[INDEX]
ACEM MEETS EC VICE PRESIDENT GÜNTER VERHEUGEN
SCRAPPING SCHEME ADOPTED IN SPAIN
INTERVIEW WITH HENDRIK VON KUENHEIM
COMMUNICATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORT
ETSC UNVEILS 2008 ROAD SAFETY PERFORMANCES