Manufacturing heads push for harmonisation

©Andreas Weber via 123RF

Meeting in Brussels recently, the CEs of more than 10 global truck and engine manufacturers discussed key issues facing their industry, including fuel efficiency improvements, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), safety, diesel fuel specifications and issues related to heavy-duty engine and vehicle regulation and certification. Moreover, the industry leaders also explored the potential of intelligent transport systems (ITS) to further cut emissions and improve road transport.

Chaired by Martin Lundstedt, chairman of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association's Commercial Vehicle Board and president and CEO of Volvo Group, this was the 13th meeting to discuss global issues facing commercial vehicle manufacturers and recommend solutions to these challenges.

Accelerating efforts

Summarising the meeting, Lundstedt said: "Heavy-duty engine and vehicle manufacturers are making clear progress in exhaust emission reductions and fuel efficiency improvements with sustained efforts. Accelerating efforts aimed at harmonisation of test procedures and standards are needed to further advance the global objective of greenhouse gas reductions. The leaders also agreed on the need to further develop active safety measures as well as the need to explore the benefits of ITS. The best approach to reach this objective is for states and industry to work together."

Points agreed at the meeting included a proposal for long-term action on the introduction of globally harmonised fuel efficiency measurement metrics and test procedures for heavy-duty vehicles as well as the need for further discussions on safety measures and ITS.

The leaders of the assembled companies emphasised the need for concerted global action for GHG emissions reductions and referred to the progress made in United Nations discussions on the development of global diesel fuel specifications, as well as confirming the need for further discussions on safety measures and ITS.

Agreeing to advise their regional secretariats to continue the activities of the joint experts' meetings, they also affirmed that transnational-transregional cooperative efforts between industry and governments toward global harmonisation can serve to promote improvements for customers and the global environment.

Source: Business Day