Hanover,  23 September 2008 - The European commercial vehicle manufacturers are taking the lead in pushing fuel efficiency to new levels, with the clear goal to contribute further to sustainable mobility around the world.

Daimler, DAF, Iveco, MAN, Scania, Volkswagen and Volvo Group outlined their  views in a joint press conference at the international motor show for commercial vehicles,  IAA, in Hanover, stressing that shaping the future of transportation is a collective challenge.

Vision 20-20, “To  underline our determination, the commercial vehicle industry has united behind the Vision 20-20”, said Andreas Renschler, Chairman of the commercial vehicles Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG.

“Our  direct  contribution is a further decrease in the fuel consumption of modern  trucks by on average 20% per tonnekilometre by the year 2020 (1). In addition, our  industry  will actively help strike a balance between mobility and environmental protection through a partnership with political  leaders, the fuel  industry, the hauliers, vehicle operators and, last but not least, the drivers themselves.”

The  manufacturers’ ambitious strategy fits in the recently defined EU objective  to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 20% towards the 2020 horizon. Road  transport can contribute to this objective with an integrated approach, combining increased fuel-efficiency with the larger use of alternative fuels, more efficient transport, better infrastructure and supportive policy measures.

Transport enables growth
Road  transport  is  key  to  the  global economy. In the industrialised countries, trucks carry nearly 80 percent of all freight. Statistically, every  single  day,  trucks  deliver 70 kg of goods to each European citizen. Commercial vehicles are also  enablers of employment and an engine of economic growth in many other sectors worldwide.

Renschler: “For our planet, however, this development is also generating major challenges – from congestion, over high energy prices to global warming. Our task is to make sure the trucks and buses of tomorrow serve our society, with minimum impact on our environment.”

Modern  trucks,  vans and buses already set the standard in terms of safety, efficiency and environment. Pollutant emissions such as NOx and particulate matter  have been reduced by as much as 85% and 95% respectively since the late 1980s. The commercial vehicle industry has cut  the fuel consumption of its products by more than a third since the 1970s.

Progress will continue with improved combustion engines, hybrid trucks and  buses, other innovative drive-trains and the use of alternative fuels. A further 20% reduction by 2020 will require the utmost of the manufacturers’ engineers and management.

Teaming up for more efficiency
However, developing technological solutions is not enough to address all of  the  traffic-related concerns worldwide. Political leaders, the fuel industry,  the hauliers, vehicle operators and drivers must all do their part to help shape sustainable mobility.

The most important lever to push efforts in terms of sustainable transportation  is political support. Renschler: “We need governments as allies to enhance the market  take-up of new technologies, address bottlenecks in infrastructure, promote  transport  efficiency, and harmonise regulatory standards and test cycles.”

Renschler: “Our message is that the world can’t go without trucks, vans and buses, but that we can go without emissions. The IAA 2008 is proof, that  our industry is more than ready. We invite all of our colleagues – and  for  that  matter, all interested parties – to team up and join the effort.”

The ACEA commercial vehicle members are Daimler AG, DAF Trucks, Iveco
SpA,  MAN AG, Scania AB, Volkswagen AG and AB Volvo. Commercial vehicle
industry  plays  a  key  role  in the European economy. They produce 2.6 million  commercial vehicles every year, generating a turnover of nearly € 70billion. A  quarter of a million skilled staff are employed in their  manufacture. Three quarters of a million more Europeans depend on the industry for their jobs, including parts suppliers, distributors, dealers and those providing  after-sales care. A further 2.6 million, employed in the € 250 billion-a-year haulage industry, complete the picture.

(1) Compared  to  2005, the year when the newest generation of vehicles (Euro V) entered the market. For further information, please contact Sigrid de Vries, Director

Communications, ACEA  +32 485 886 647or sv@acea.be Please also visit www.acea.be.