Automotive industry welcomes amended FP6 proposals
The current chairman of EUCAR, Rudolf Kunze, has given a resounding welcome to the Commission's amended proposals for the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) which saw the addition of surface transport as a future area of research. EUCAR was established in 1994, having evolved from the previous Joint research committee of the European motor vehicle manufacturers. Members include BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford in Europe, Opel, Porsche, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault, Volkswagen Group and Volvo. Since the publication of the original proposals for FP6, the group has sought the inclusion of road transport, which was not mentioned specifically in the proposals. Under the revised proposal, adopted by the Commission following a vote in the European Parliament on 14 November adopting over 300 amendments, 'sustainable surface transport' has been added as an envisaged action under the 'sustainable development' thematic priority. Another envisaged action, 'sustainable energy systems' also includes research into alternative motor fuels and fuel cells, including applications for transport. 'I think, when you look at the subject of sustainable development in its widest terms, you talk about social, economic and about environmental effects. Road transport is certainly one of the key contributors to environmental impact, and in this regard, I believe it [the proposals] supports focusing on what we believe is important in the transport sector,' Mr Kunze told CORDIS News. Although the automotive industry had been assured by the Commission that their areas of research would not be neglected under FP6, but would fall into different thematic priority areas, EUCAR was concerned that this would result in a lack of coordination between research projects. 'This gives us the opportunity to really focus [...] it's much better than fragmenting research programmes around subjects,' said Mr Kunze. Mr Kunze outlined the future areas of research for the automotive industry: integrated safety, future fuels and powertrains and mobility, and emphasised the importance of coordination. 'We don't want to look at individual technologies, we want a holistic approach, to set ourselves up with the right architecture,' said the chairman. Regarding fuel research, Mr Kunze argued that 'future fuels cannot be the subject of a region or a nation. It is at least big enough be a European issue, or a global issue.' He added that the main objective at the moment is to establish a consensus within Europe on what the future vision is with regard to fuels of the future. Following agreement on a European vision, EUCAR is keen to share this view with other players, and has already been in touch with representatives in the USA.