Brussels, 11/01/2011 - The Commercial Vehicle Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has elected Alfredo Altavilla as its new Chairman for 2011. Altavilla is CEO of IVECO. At ACEA, he takes over from Leif Johansson, CEO of Volvo Group, who was ACEA Commercial Vehicle Chairman during 2010.

“I look forward to further intensify our dialogue with the European Institutions on behalf of the European truck, van and bus manufacturers, and I thank Mr Johansson for his valuable work in 2010”, said Altavilla. “A main priority in 2011 for the commercial vehicle sector remains the achievement of a full recovery from the financial and economic crisis. Our sector was hit harder than most, and it will take a number of years before we return to pre-crisis levels. However, we are positive and confident to maintain our position as technology leaders around the world”.

In 2010, heavy-duty vehicle production continued to decrease in the first quarter before rising by 57% and 66% in the second and third, sharply contrasting with the crisis-marked levels of 2009. Overall, truck production remained considerably below the levels of 2008 (-53% over the first three quarters). The market situation remains difficult especially in Eastern and Southern Europe, whereas in other parts of Europe, as well as in the US, the outlook is better. Asian and Latin American markets are doing extremely well.

“We call on policy makers to deploy all possible means to ensure a supportive regulatory and business environment in Europe”, added Altavilla, “addressing issues from access to capital to strengthening funding for R&D. Special attention should also be given to the difficulties experienced by vehicle industry suppliers due to reduced production levels. In particular, policy makers should consider measures to encourage fleet renewal. This would sustain our substantial contribution to improving the environmental performance of road transport and contributing to improving road safety”.

Alfredo Altavilla, 47, is CEO of IVECO, a company of Fiat Industrial, since November 2010. He joined Fiat Auto in 1990 and has been in charge of Business Development since 2001 with, subsequently, responsibility for the management of Fiat Group alliances. In September 2004, he was appointed Chairman of FGP (FIAT/GM Powertrain JV) and Senior Vice President of Business Development of Fiat Auto. In addition, in July 2005, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of TOFAS, listed on the Istanbul stock exchange. In November 2006, he was named CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies and became a member of the Group Executive Council of the Fiat Group. In July 2009, he joined the Board of Directors of Chrysler Group LLC and in October 2009, was named Executive Vice President of Business Development of the Fiat Group.

About the European commercial vehicle industry

The commercial vehicle industry is an important part of the European automobile industry and currently employs about 1.5 million people directly and indirectly in Europe.

Vehicle manufacturers go to great lengths to sustain investments in R&D, most notably in the fields of road safety and emissions reduction. The Euro VI emission requirements alone represent industry investments of EUR 6-8 billion. Pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxide and particulate matter had already been reduced by as much as 85% and 95% respectively since the late 1980s.

Another main priority remains the further improvement of fuel and energy efficiency in order to contribute to global CO2 emission reduction objectives. The commercial vehicle industry has cut the fuel consumption of its products by more than a third since the 1970s. Progress continues through improved combustion engines, hybrid trucks and buses, other innovative drive-trains and the use of alternative fuels. A further 20% increase in fuel efficiency per tonne-kilometre is envisaged by 2020 (compared to 2005), and will require the utmost of the manufacturers’ engineers and management.

About ACEA

The ACEA commercial vehicle members are Daimler Trucks, DAF Trucks, IVECO, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Volvo Group. They produce in over ten EU countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic. The ACEA CV Board elects a new Chairman every year.

For further information, please contact Sigrid de Vries, Director Communications ACEA +32 2 738 73 45 or sv@acea.be
Please also visit www.acea.be