Held this week in Brussels, the Automotive Megatrends Europe conference brought together top automotive industry executives to discuss the long-term challenges facing both the passenger car and commercial vehicle industries and explored such topics as freight efficiency, powertrain innovation and the future of the connected car.

At the opening session, topics addressed by the six-speaker, moderated 90-minute panel debate included sustainability, connectivity and the future of the automobile industry in a world where young people are delaying car purchases.

Speaking in a panel on the future of the car, Mr Jonnaert highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the automotive industry in Europe. He said, ‘We are facing the joint challenges of demographic shifts, environmental change and the high cost of automotive production in Europe’

‘The European market is saturated, with a changing population, while a lot of future growth is expected to come from rapidly growing emerging economies. To succeed now and in the future, we need to develop smarter, cleaner and more connected cars, as well as working out business models that work in the cities and towns of the future.’