Paul Mascarenas, Ford chief technology officer representing EUCAR’s 2011 Chairmanship, said: ‘Innovation has always been the competitive advantage of the European industry. Without political support, it will be tougher in the future to maintain the global competitiveness of the European automotive industry.’

European Commission vice-president Siim Kallas, commissioner for transport, also highlighted the importance of innovation and investment in the transport sector to support the Europe 2020 Strategy.  He emphasised ‘the significant role the European automotive industry will play, as a partner to the Commission, in developing the European transport system of the future and providing the innovation required to meet the policy objectives of the EU’s “Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area”’.

EUCAR chairman and managing director of Ford of Europe Research Centre Pim van der Jagt detailed how industry and the EU can most effectively cooperate, stating: ‘EU R&D initiatives are needed on priority themes, including Green Cars, ITS for mobility, materials and manufacturing, integrated safety, advanced powertrains & fuels, and heavy-duty vehicles & green corridors’.  

He called for: ‘An increased budget for automotive R&D investment in the future Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, reflecting the automotive sector’s economic and social contribution to Europe.’

In the panel sessions, researchers presented results of projects co-funded by the European Commission in the R&D domains Mobility & Transport, Materials & Manufacturing, Integrated Safety and Fuels & Powertrain. Together with an exhibition of co-funded projects and highly innovative demonstrators for future mobility, these illustrated the value of EU investment in automotive R&D and innovation, and how the results can be exploited in real products.