EUCAR sets out research priorities for automotive sector
With the automotive industry increasingly facing challenges from all sides (energy, environment, safety), a strategy for meeting new consumer and regulatory demands is essential for the sector to remain competitive in the face of increasing international competition. The EUCAR annual conference on 23 November demonstrated that such a strategy is in place, and that research priorities have been selected accordingly. EUCAR is the European Council for Automotive Research and Development (R&D). Its members represent the major European motor vehicle manufacturers, and the strength-in-numbers that EUCAR gives individual companies means that they are able to find the best solutions for addressing the industry's challenges. The EUCAR Chairmanship for 2006 was held by Professor Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer of the DaimlerChrysler Group. He outlined what the industry needs to do in three areas - energy and environment; design and production; safety and mobility - in order to leverage competitiveness. Key to improving the industry's energy and environment credentials is an integrated approach to CO2 reduction, according to Professor Kohler. This integrated approach would involve advancing conventional powertrains and after-treatment systems so as to reduce emissions, using alternative fuels such as biomass, and finding better ways to store electricity and hydrogen. For hydrogen, research should also focus on improving the cost, lifetime and temperature range of modern fuel cell technologies. In 2006 EUCAR pursued its integrated approach to CO2 reduction with a powertrain technology roadmap, a well-to-wheels study and a study on CO2 reduction through traffic management. Enhancing design and production should ensure that manufacturing in Europe is world class. One way in which to upgrade production would be to use advanced technologies such as networked production, knowledge-based engineering and information technology-based manufacturing. In 2006, EUCAR saw the launch of two projects funded under EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). They address flexible assembly processes (my-CAR) and automotive components of light alloys (NADIA). In order to improve safety and mobility, EUCAR will once again pursue an integrated approach. This will involve pushing for a new generation of autonomous safety on-board systems that are more reliable but less expensive, and at the same time more widely used. EUCAR is involved in projects under FP6 on accidentontology and cooperative systems using vehicle-vehicle-infrastructure-communication. In all, EUCAR is involved in some 30 major projects in FP6. The EUCAR Chairmanship now passes to Lars-Göran Rosengren, President of the Volvo Technology Corporation. Dr Rosengren concluded EUCAR's conference with a number of priorities for 2007. These included: increasing the involvement of other stakeholders in reducing CO2, such as the fuel industry, transport operators and road authorities; initiating virtual engineering activities; and developing links with other stakeholders so as to ensure the deployment of products that are already available. Also speaking at the conference was UK MEP Malcolm Harbour. Mr Harbour emphasised that the industry can do more in addition to setting priorities and investing accordingly. 'The automotive industry has a very good track record of R&D investment...We need to raise awareness of it. I'm not sure people are aware of this...I'm not sure Prime Ministers know about this,' he said. He called on those present at the conference to act as 'sherpers', to go to national parliaments and talk to MPs about the industry's activities and investments. The automotive industry's role is not restricted to collaborator; it should also act as a catalyst for change, said the MEP.