The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) has elected Thorsten Muschal as its new president for the 2020-‘21 term, succeeding Roberto Vavassori, who has held the position since 2016.
Muschal is executive vice president responsible for sales and program management at Faurecia, the Paris-headquartered multinational. He has been CLEPA vice president for the past four years and is well-versed into the EU policy dossiers impacting the automotive industry.
“Automotive suppliers are key contributors to change in mobility and industry. Europe must succeed in reaping the industrial benefits of climate and digital leadership, and on this crucial question CLEPA stands ready to help with technology solutions and proposals for policy,” said Muschal. “I warmly thank Roberto Vavassori for his important work over the past years and look forward to working with the CLEPA team on further strengthening the voice of our industry.”
The automotive industry is undergoing the biggest transformation in more than 100 years — to a large part because of the need to de-carbonize transport. The other two major trends are assisted and automated driving, and data-fueled connectivity, which enables new mobility types and services.
“At CLEPA, we are convinced that no one can master these challenges on their own and we believe in European solutions to find and work together. The urgency to deliver is extremely high,” said Muschal. “For Europe to secure strategic autonomy in the field of ‘new mobility’ which is safe, sustainable and smart, and to compete effectively with other world regions while sustaining high levels of employment and innovation in Europe, there are high levels of investments needed in renewable energy, energy infrastructure, secure and fast connectivity as well as in critical technologies, innovation and skills.”
“As consumer priorities and ever-stricter emissions regulations transform the automotive industry, CLEPA is committed to working with policymakers and nurturing the business conditions that ensure European suppliers maintain their leading position on the global market. European automotive suppliers are at the forefront of shaping the mobility of the future, and the innovation ecosystem they cultivate and drive, which integrates engineering expertise and leadership in technology and digital transformation, is the backbone of the move towards carbon neutrality and a more sustainable approach to mobility.”
Automotive suppliers aspire for the future of mobility to be safe, sustainable, smart and competitive. This is the vision CLEPA laid out in full during the Dec. 4 event “Future as we Move – Shaping Solutions of Mobility.” More information can be found here.
