ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, welcomed the vote on the regulation on general motor vehicle safety on Thursday 21 February in the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) (see EUROPE 12199), although it expressed some concern about the short time left for European car manufacturers to comply with the new standards.
"Auto manufacturers are concerned about the proposed time between the entry into force of the regulation and the moment it applies", the statement said. ACEA thus insists on the need to take into account the development time of the product, by providing at least 36 months before the application of the said regulation. Nor is the organisation entirely in favour of direct vision of users in trucks, which requires lowering the cab at the front of the engine, preferring to install sensors and cameras around the cab.
On the contrary, CLEPA, which represents the manufacturers of automotive equipment and parts, welcomed the European Parliament's vote in no uncertain terms. "Committee members supported the Commission’s proposal and opposed any watering-down of the new standards", the organisation declared, before stressing the urgency of initiating interinstitutional negotiations with the Council and sealing an agreement before the European elections.
Transport & Environment, which advocates sustainable and safe mobility, also warmly welcomed the Parliament's position, in particular because of the strengthening of direct vision modalities. Similarly, Eurocities was particularly pleased to see that direct vision was maintained and that the definitions of intelligent speed adaptation and advanced emergency braking systems were improved. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)