ETRMA: EU industry report an important “stepping stone”

Brussels – The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has welcomed a new report on the competitiveness and growth of the EU automotive industry as an important "stepping stone".

The report was issued 18 Oct by the GEAR 2030 ‘high level group’, a body set up by the European Commission, in 2015, to address challenges faced by the automotive industry.

Launching the study, El?bieta Bie?kowska, commissioner for the internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs said: 'The next decade will change the automotive landscape almost beyond recognition. Our industry must rise to the challenge if we are to maintain our world-leading position.”

Bie?kowska went on to note that the recent diesel emissions scandal had “seriously damaged” the reputation and credibility of the industry.

But, she said, the GEAR2030 report “can be the basis for a restart. It clearly identifies the tasks ahead. With continuing close cooperation between government and industry, we can look forward to a bright future."

In its comments, ETRMA noted the report’s emphasis on the need for legislation to be predictable, reliable and enforced and for the EU to urgently push for fairer trade and market access arrangements with major trading 'partners' worldwide.

The study, it said, also acknowledged the impact of automation and connectivity in shaping the automotive industry of the future, as well as the need for access to in-vehicle data across the entire automotive value-chain.

The connected and automated vehicles strategy is a new area of activity for the high level group, the association further noted: “The increasing connectivity of vehicles is a game-changer for the entire automotive value chain of which tires are an essential element.”

These elements along with future-skills development are essential to maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of the tire industry, said an 18 Oct release from Brussels-based ETRMA.

GEAR2030, added ETRMA, highlighted the need for intensive work around vehicle safety, including provisions for direct and secure access to a wide set of vehicle data to support connected services.

“The very intensive work of GEAR2030 for the past 18 months confirms the fundamental and structural changes the automotive value chain is undergoing” said Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of ETRMA.

“This report constitutes a stepping stone for all stakeholders to start working and putting actions next to the recommendations there included. The work is now ahead of us and we are ready for it,” she concluded.