This week in Brussels, the Polish automotive supply industry represented by SDCM – the Polish Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Producers, in close coordination with CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, the various automotive parts and components that are manufactured in Poland in the pursuit of CO2 emissions reduction, contributing to the decarburization of road transport in the EU.
During a lunch debate for policymakers hosted by Andrzej Grzyb, member of the European Parliament (MEP), several representatives from Polish and Poland-based companies including Bosch, Lumag, BorgWarner and Valeo, were present to introduce a variety of technology solutions, stressing the need to take all technology options into account in upcoming CO2 legislation for cars and vans.
The European Parliament and Council of Member States are currently negotiating a new legislative proposal to reduce car emissions in the 2020-’30 timeframe. The legislation will have a large impact on the European automotive industry.
“Poland is a prominent automotive country in Europe with manufacturing plants located all across the country providing over 130,000 high-skilled jobs. We very much support that Europe builds on the strengths of its industry to tackle environmental issues. It should be our ambition that technology solutions continue to be developed, industrialized and manufactured here with us,” said Grzyb.
Alfred Franke, president of SDCM, said, “The automotive supply sector is key for the economic fabric of Poland. It is important that Europe continues to have a legislative framework that sustains the competitiveness of the automotive suppliers in the global perspective. That means that all available technologies should be included without bias: every gram of CO2 reduction counts.”
Sigrid de Vries, secretary general of CLEPA, added, “CLEPA asks the legislator to provide a policy framework that rewards efficiency. There is no ‘one-fits-all’ solution to achieve society’s CO2-emissions reduction targets: cars, vans, bikes, buses and trucks serve different mobility purposes, and customers must have the choice to pick the technology combinations that fit their needs best.”
CLEPA said it considers the new car CO2 proposal to be highly demanding and stresses that focus should turn to how the targets should be met, mitigating disruption to economy and society.
Electrification, hybrid technology, alternative and synthetic fuels, eco-innovations and other solutions to increase energy efficiency all have a role to play in an integrated policy approach encompassing market incentives, energy mix and infrastructure investments as well.
SDCM and CLEPA members offer mobility solutions that build on their long-standing industrial strength to realize ambitious environmental and safety-related objectives, counting multi-nationals as well as thousands of SMEs in its membership. Up to 75 percent of the value of an average vehicle comes from its components and parts. Automotive suppliers invest more than half of all automotive R&D in the EU (more than €22 billion/approximately $27 billion USD per year). They are a key asset for Europe’s economy and wealth creation.
Specifically, Polish automotive suppliers contribute significantly to the Polish economy due to its size, creation of value, interaction with other sectors and exports. It is a strategic sector with value of production of automotive parts of more than €20 billion (approximately $24 billion USD) in 2017 and totaling 130,000 direct jobs. It’s a sector intensely committed to R&D and innovation, with an investment of 5 to 10 percent of its turnover, due to its strong technological base.
