Automotive supply industry showcases innovation at IAA Frankfurt

• Sector pushes clean, safe and connected mobility to new levels
• Technology neutrality and mid-term review crucial in new CO2 legislation

Frankfurt, 13^th September 2017 – The European automotive supply industry underscores its commitment to ever safer, cleaner and smarter mobility with an impressive presence at the IAA international motor show, starting tomorrow in Frankfurt, Germany.

Over 40 CLEPA member companies and national associations showcase latest innovations in their respective fields of expertise. CLEPA itself is present with a booth in the New Mobility World area of the show, marking the milestone that connected and automated mobility has arrived at, and taking part in various EU policy events.

“Mobility is changing in way not seen since the transition from horse carriage to self-propelled vehicles”, said Roberto Vavassori, President of CLEPA and member of the Board of Management of Brembo, during the CLEPA media round table in Frankfurt. The automotive suppliers drive and facilitate that evolution every step on the way.”

Regulatory framework

Automotive suppliers play a crucial role inventing, developing and producing today’s new mobility solutions that advance road safety, connected and automated driving, fuel economy and alternative powertrains. CLEPA, the European industry’s trade association, actively inputs to the societal and regulatory debate on these topics. The automotive sectors is one of the most regulated industries, and with urban mobility planning, CO2-reduction legislation, the General Safety Regulation and data-driven trends such as truck platooning or highway chauffeur, many new policy initiatives are on the way.

“Great parts make great cars”, added Sigrid de Vries, CLEPA Secretary General, “and great policy needs the expert contribution from those providing the mobility solutions.” An average vehicle counts about 30,000 of these parts and components, ranging from lighting to interiors, body parts, electronics, drivetrain or chassis. About 75% of vehicle value is produced by suppliers, who spend over EUR20 billion on R&D each year. It is crucial that innovation is fostered through a competitive and supportive regulatory framework.

Referring to the upcoming proposal for new CO2-reduction limits for light-duty vehicles, CLEPA emphasises that multiple technologies are needed to ensure that the Paris climate change targets are met, ranging from electrification to advanced internal combustion solutions to renewable alternative fuels. “Sustaining and promoting investment in all of these pathways is a key prerequisite for any new policy”, said De Vries.

Modern power unit

The modern vehicles of today and tomorrow are propelled by a highly-advanced power unit to transform energy into motion, consisting of a combination of technologies to do the job: electric drivetrain solutions, energy recuperation and power boosting devices, e-fuels and highly-efficient combustion engines. There is no one-fits-all solution to achieve the energy-efficiency and CO2-remissions reduction targets: cars and vehicles serve different mobility purposes and customers must have the choice to pick the power unit that first their needs best. New CO2 legislation should adopt technology neutrality as the core principle to promote innovation and competition for the best technologies and achieve the policy objectives for 2030.

A mid-term review in 2025 should make sure that reality comes into play and allow adjustment to market uptake, customer choice, energy mix, infrastructure and technical developments. “We know what the ingredients of modern mobility will be, but their actual mix is at present highly unpredictable. We need Europe, therefore, to pursue its emission-reduction goals in the most realistically challenging way”, added Vavassori. “Our industry is a partner in that process and ready to contribute its knowledge and expertise.”

With regard to city access restriction policies, CLEPA urges that a European approach should be found in the interest of the internal market as well as the citizens of Europe. “Mobility is a great good and one of the fundamental ingredients of a thriving economy”, concluded Vavassori.

**Note to Editors

CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers. Over 120 of the world's most prominent suppliers for car parts, systems and modules and 24 national trade associations and European sector associations are members of CLEPA, representing more than 3 thousand companies, employing more than 5 million people and covering all products and services within the automotive supply chain. Based in Brussels, Belgium, CLEPA is recognised as the natural discussion partner by the European Institutions, United Nations and fellow associations (ACEA, JAMA, MEMA, etc.).

Facts about the European automotive industry

• Some 12 million people are employed in the European automotive industry.
• European automotive suppliers directly employ 5 million people.
• European automotive suppliers invest over € 20bn in R&I per year. They are one of the biggest private investors into research and innovation.
• Per year, 16 million vehicles are manufactured in Europe, contributing to the stability and growth of the European economy.

For more information, please contact:

Mrs Amalia Di Stefano, CLEPA Chief Global Governmental Affairs, a.distefano@clepa.be, +32.2.743.91.35