[REPORT]
6th ACEM Conference
EU 2020: making it happen. Which industrial policy for the motorcycle sector?
During its yearly conference held in Brussels on 28 January, representatives of the industry, company managers and officials from the European Institutions, discussed how to bounce back from the crisis through the new opportunities offered by the EU 2020 strategy envisaged by the European Commission to spur Europe's recovery.
The Motorcycle Industry in Europe has not been immune to the crisis. In its by now customary report on the motorcycle sector Jacques Compagne, Secretary General of ACEM, said that registrations of Powered Two-Wheelers have been declining since the final quarter of 2008. For 2009, the balance is negative in the range of -21%.
Mr Compagne, while underlining the importance of strengthening Europe as a destination for investments, highlighted that if EU 2020's objectives are to be achieved, the motorcycle sector needs to be involved in this strategy recognising its specificities.
"A thriving industry", Jacques Compagne said, "is at the core of Europe’s prosperity. It is important that the image of Europe as a destination for profitable investments is retained and strengthened, especially in these times of uncertainty. Yet to restore confidence, we have to solve several substantial issues: European regulations must be occasioned by a long-term vision and with regulatory stability and simplification in mind, providing sufficient lead-time for industry to develop products".
Bern Lange MEP, who chaired the conference, underlined the need of ambitious targets, however he also acknowledged that the industry requires a clear roadmap with sufficient leadtime if these goals are to be collectively achieved.
Mattia Pellegrini, Member of the Cabinet of Antonio Tajani, European Commission’s Vice President, commissioner responsible Industry and Entrepreneurship, acknowledged the serious crisis faced by the industry, as well as the opportunities the PTW Industry represents for the European economy.
Giacomo Mattinò, deputy head of the automotive industry unit at DG Enterprise, announced that the Commission’s Proposal of a Framework Regulation on type-approval of two- and three-wheel motor vehicles and quadricycles, due in April, will have environmental and road safety objectives, while taking into account the lead time required by industry to adapt production.
Since the beginning of the process that will lead to the proposal, ACEM has shown that it is willing to play its part provided the objectives are achievable and foresee a reasonable lead time.
During the panel discussion the role of market acceptance
was also mentioned as an important condition in view of adopting new technical requirements.
When considering competitiveness, both in Europe and on extra-European markets, the difficulties of ensuring a level playing field were emphasised while calling for surveillance measures involving all Member States to address the lack of conformity to EU type-approval of products imported from South East Asia.
In this regard, Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO of Ducati, underscored the need for supportive measures for the PTW industry in the short and long term, and called for swift action to ensure that the European industry is in the best position when the recovery starts.
Mark Davies, General Manager Honda Motor Europe, urged the panel to look at the reality beyond the figures. By putting the European recent market trend into perspective he described the situation faced by SME's which are seriously affected by the economic crisis and would urgently need an enhanced credit scheme to overcome its effects. He also backed up Mr Del Torchio's plea for a simple, stable legal framework in the long term.
The ACEM Conference showed a broad convergence of opinions and confirmed the good cooperation level between policy makers and industry. Everyone agreed that a broad perspective is necessary to ensure that the PTW industry is in the best position when activity recovers. Little over one year ago, ACEM announced a series of proactive initiatives as a means to “shaping the future” for the sector. In spite of current challenges, ACEM confirmed during the conference determination and committment to staying behind those initiatives. The first step towards an industrial policy for the motorcycle sector has been taken, albeit more still needs to be done.
Download the presentations and the speeches on the conference website
[INDEX]
RACC BARCELONA SURVEY ON PTW SAFETY
PIAGGIO AND ENEL TO DEVELOP ELECTRIC MOBILITY
Download the ACEM Report
Bernd Lange MEP
Giacomo Mattinò and Mattia Pellegrini (left)
Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO Ducati
Mark Davies, General Manager Honda Motor Europe