One of the notable events was a press conference at which the President of the World Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Matthias Wissmann, spoke.
The head of OICA analyzed the situation in the automotive markets, taking into account the economic situation of various countries and their associations. Fresh OICA statistics show that the global automotive industry continues to grow. The global vehicle market has been expanding for eight consecutive years. In 2017, it grew by 3%, reaching 96.8 million units, including passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and buses. Global production also showed growth of 2%, and according to experts' forecasts, this trend will continue. OICA expects that in 2018 global growth will continue, although it will be less intense. It is projected that the global car market will increase by about 1%, reaching almost 98 million units. At the same time, the passenger car market will grow by about 1% and will amount to 86 million new cars by the end of the year.
Economic development, employment levels, and well-being have always been closely linked to the dynamics of car markets and production. Therefore, as Wissmann noted, international competition among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will remain high, and the automotive industry will continue to play a key role worldwide. "This applies both to developed industrial countries and to many developing states," emphasized the OICA President. An important feature of modern automobile production is its global cooperation: about 75% of the added value of a car is created by suppliers from different countries. In the long term, efficient commercial production is possible only with the proper use of global value chains. This benefits both industry workers and consumers who rely on modern quality products at reasonable prices, available thanks to the international division of labor.
In the context of globalization, one of the key tasks of OICA, according to its head, is the harmonization of technical standards worldwide. Wissmann believes that if different rules are recognized as equivalent, they should be mutually accepted, as happens, for example, within free trade agreements. The OICA President also paid special attention to the need to maintain a balance between environmental and industrial policies.
It is known that the World Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers pays great attention to climate protection. All its members are actively working to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new cars. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a common task for the automotive industry in Europe, Asia, and America.
Target CO2 emission levels for new cars by 2021 vary significantly by region. The most ambitious goal was set by the European Union — 95 grams per kilometer. For Japan, this figure is 105 g/km, for China — 117 g/km, for the USA — 119 g/km. The European Commission has proposed an additional reduction of another 30 percent by 2030. These EU plans look extremely ambitious and difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is not surprising that representatives of the global automotive industry once again expressed concern about the EU's policy. Particularly alarming is the practice of introducing regulatory requirements without prior discussion and consultation with other regions of the world.
"We consider it necessary to have an internationally coordinated strategy for reducing CO2 emissions for all continents. The problem of emissions is global in nature — they do not know state borders. Therefore, Europe should not move too far away from other regions, such as the USA or Asia. In conditions of international competition, the European automotive industry bears a heavier burden than its rivals. In addition, the unilateral requirements of Europeans lead to additional costs that could be avoided and ultimately fall on the shoulders of ordinary consumers," said Matthias Wissmann. "Policymakers need to find a new balance between industrial and climate policy. Environmental goals and growth objectives should have equal priority, and this should be ensured at the global level," summed up the OICA President.
The press conference also discussed the use of digital technologies to improve road safety.
As it turned out, OICA sets itself a clear global goal — to ensure greater safety on the roads, which is a worldwide task. This megatrend serves as an important stimulus for innovation. To solve the set tasks, automakers need employees with new qualifications, as well as more specialists in IT and software. "Now legislators around the world will have to begin creating a regulatory framework for the widespread introduction of the latest technologies. This process should be coordinated with economic development and infrastructure modernization. Thus, these technologies will be gradually introduced around the world," noted Mr. Wissmann.
Concluding his speech, the President of the World Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers announced an "automotive spring" that will be accompanied by growth in the global car market and production of passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as increased competition worldwide.
