Third Global Automotive Industry Meeting

The third Global Automotive Industry meeting took place on 11 January 2005 in Detroit , Michigan (USA), gathering leaders of the world’s automakers.

Japanese manufacturers were represented by the following participants:

• FUJI Heavy Industries Ltd Mr. Yutaka TSUKAHARA, Corporate Senior Vice President
• HONDA Motor Co Ltd, Mr. Takeo FUKUI, President & CEO
• MAZDA Motor Corporation, Mr. John G. PARKER, Executive Vice President
• NISSAN Motor Co Ltd,  Mr. Itaru KOEDA, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors
• TOYOTA Motor Corporation, Mr. Fujio CHO, President
• JAMA, Mr. Yoshiyasu NAO, Vice Chairman & President

At the meeting common issues and common approaches were discussed. Issues on the agenda included:

• How to protect intellectual property?
• The state of play of advanced technology and improved fuel quality
• How to maintain momentum on sustainable mobility and road traffic safety?

In addition two reports, which were also discussed at the previous global automotive industry meeting, were presented. The first one provides an overview of the progress in clean diesel technology and the second report focuses on the international harmonisation of vehicle regulations. 

As regards intellectual property, automakers agreed that it was important to ensure respect for intellectual property in industrialised and developing countries alike. The circulation of counterfeit replacement parts, as well as motorcycles and motor vehicles, that often lack the quality and performance of original products, is a major problem globally and one that harms the activities of automakers and consumers. Therefore automakers, including JAMA, agreed that governments and industries of all countries should work cooperatively to establish and enforce intellectual property laws and oppose the increase of counterfeit products in circulation.

Advanced technology and improved fuel quality was also addressed. In this context, participants reached consensus that incentives to support the sales of clean and more fuel-efficient vehicles should be technology neutral and the consumers and the marketplace should choose which technologies make sense for them. It was also highlighted that the automobile industry needs to continue to raise awareness about the many consumer benefits of clean vehicles.

On sustainable mobility and road traffic safety in general, automakers agreed that there is a need for a coordinated effort among automakers, public authorities and other stakeholders. In this regard it was noted that motor vehicle safety is among the highest priorities for automakers. Nevertheless, road safety remains a challenge requiring an integrated approach with the involvement of various stakeholders. Public and private partnerships would be a potential tool to meet this challenge.

Of key interest were the discussions on the international harmonisation of vehicle regulations’ contribution to sustainable mobility. JAMA and attendees to the forum are of the view that the harmonisation of technical regulations under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is a key step to improve global automobile safety, preserve the environment and reduce consumer costs. 

Participants, including JAMA, welcomed the work of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) which in 2004 finalised the first global regulation for doors, locks and door retention components. The success of the group illustrates “that international challenges can be surmounted, producing better safety guidelines for all motorist around the globe”. The drafting of global technical regulation on pedestrian protection under the UNECE is likely to be the next step for the WP.29 group.

The next Global Automotive Industry Meeting will take place in Europe in March 2006 and will be hosted by the European Automobile Manufactures Association (ACEA).