The Sustainable and Accessible Mobility Forum brought together automotive industry leaders from more than 20 countries, political leaders and decision-makers in Bucharest, to shape together the future of global mobility. The Gândul.ro website participated in the event and here are the conclusions.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu declared, at the beginning of the event, that the reindustrialization plan of the economy, which will be launched, comes to support the automotive industry.
“It is an honor to be here today at this very special event, organized by the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association. The Romanian automotive industry has demonstrated over the years an extraordinary capacity for adaptation and innovation, and today we are here to celebrate these achievements and to discuss the sustainable future of mobility. In this context, I believe that our plan to reindustrialize the economy that we are preparing to launch comes to support this strategic industry of the country. This plan aims to transform Romania into a technology and innovation hub in South-Eastern Europe in the next 10 years.
We aim to attract significant investment in the automotive sector, develop the necessary infrastructure, support research and development in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles. It is vital to support our automotive industry, which contributes significantly to our country’s GDP and plays a crucial role in Romania’s export volume. In 2024, automobile production has grown spectacularly, with more than 600,000 units produced annually.
These achievements not only support the national economy, but also position Romania as an important player on the European car market. Obviously, we want to support the modernization process of this sector and the trend towards electrification of car production.
In 2024, we expect electrified car sales to grow by more than 24%, and pure electric car sales to reach a 13% market share. I reaffirm Romania’s commitment to green projects and to the decarbonisation of the economy”, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
See here the VIDEO from the event
“We must make the transition to zero emissions”
Dan Vardie, president of the Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association (APIA), said the mission of the organization he leads is to build a balanced and responsible future.
“We have a whole series of values that I would like to bring to your attention. Very briefly, when we talk about innovation, by collaboration, we mean solid partnerships with all those involved, including industry, authorities, in finding creative solutions to some complicated, very often, issues of diversity and inclusion. I think everyone understands, APIA has become an example of diversity and inclusion in the automotive world, in the world in general, in the social world, because with us things have evolved as they naturally evolve in a society, in a modern association.
We are, more recently, also an example at the Competition Council, because we understood what it means and how such an organization should function. We are obviously concerned with what social and ecological responsibility means, we have continuous development and we are the ones who promote sustainable development, sustainable development.
This year you saw that we also pronounced accessible several times, because we realized that you can do sustainable mobility for nothing if it is not accessible. We live in Romania and, even more so, we all understand how important it is to give as many people as possible the chance for mobility and, of course, flexibility and adaptability. There are other values with which we operate. Well, here I thought I would tell you in two words that our mission is to build a balanced and responsible future.
Of course we want an accessible and sustainable mobility ecosystem, and as an objective we must make the transition to zero emissions together”. APIA President Dan Vardie also said.
“Approving a law mandating 100% electric vehicles in ten years is the easy part”
President of the International Organization of Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), John Bozzella, present at the Sustainable and Accessible Mobility Forum, organized by the Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers from Romania, stated that a balanced political approach is needed regarding the future of the automotive industry .
“When I talk to government leaders, they say firstly that the future is electric, secondly that the transition to electric personal mobility requires only a complete transformation of the global automotive industrial base and also a reimagining of automotive markets throughout world.
Automakers are investing massive amounts of capital in electrification, generated by revenue from sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines. This cannot go on forever. So I tell the decision makers to be successful and that we must address the conditions necessary to change the market.
I’m not at all worried about the ability of automakers to produce vehicles, but I do worry if there’s too much of a gap between government requirements and customer expectations. In other words, we need a balanced political approach.
I understand that political decision makers have to balance several societal objectives. They need to consider carbon reduction. It must also consider jobs, trade, competitiveness and economic and national security. Sometimes these goals and policies do not align and conflict. Passing a law mandating 100% electric vehicles in ten years is the easy part, but going too fast could create competitive risks for automakers.” said OICA president John Bozzella.
“We need solid industries, innovation, not legislative straitjackets”
MEP Adina Vălean, the former European Commissioner for Transport, stated that she is a supporter of technological neutrality.
“I have been and remain, not only personally, but also as a politician, a supporter of technological neutrality. In fact, the combustion engine was the solution that the industry and consumers chose at a certain point, out of several options. Because neither hydrogen nor electric cars are very recent inventions.
No technology has a monopoly on the future, and openness to all technological options, from electric vehicles to synthetic fuels, may lead us to a new natural technological champion or champions.
When I say these things, I do not say them because I would be against the climate goals or deny the stringency, the need to reduce not only emissions, but also the level of noxes. These goals are scientifically validated. What I mean is that if we want to achieve such ambitious targets, we need strong industries, innovation, multiple options, not legislative straitjackets.
I was the European Union Transport Commissioner for five years and part of my legislative legacy is legislation on electric recharging and hydrogen charging infrastructure on the EU’s essential transport network. We have introduced obligations for the Member States. We have also made funds available to turn the obligations into reality.
The market for electric cars is growing, but with fluctuations. An evenly distributed network of recharging points in Europe matters in the decision to buy an electric car. 2030 should find us in the European Union with 3.5 million functioning stations. Maybe we’ll do that”said former European Commissioner Adina Vălean.
Source: www.promotor.ro
