Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche is to take the role of president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for a second year running.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler.

Speaking following his re-election by the ACEA Board of directors, Dr Zetsche said that emissions-related issues will be centre stage next year as both the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedures (WLTP) laboratory test for measuring pollutant and CO2 emissions from cars and the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test come into effect from September.

“Our industry fully supports the need for improved emissions testing,” stated Dr Zetsche. “However, we ask policy makers to reconsider the proposed time line giving us only a few months to comply. Because if there is one defining principle of our industry, it’s this: we are used to tackling technical challenges – provided reasonable lead-times are observed.”

He added that connected and automated driving will also be a priority topic for next year.

“The increasing ability of cars to exchange data with the outside world holds great potential to revolutionise the driving experience,” said Dr Zetsche. “With the right policy framework, we will seize these opportunities for our customers – here in Europe and around the globe.”