By Martin Banks - 24th October 2011
They are at the forefront in terms of technology, innovation and employment
Martin Callanan
A senior European commission official says Europe's automobile industry has a "key role" to play in boosting economy growth.
Speaking in Brussels, Philip Owen, a commission head of unit, said that while Europe was already a "world leader" in the automobile sector, it faced several key challenges.
One, he argued, was in meeting tough new EU environmental regulations which, said Owen, are already among the "strictest" in the world.
He was addressing a meeting organised by the European Small Volume Car Manufacturers Alliance (ESCA), which represents many of the European companies manufacturing fewer than 10,000 new cars per year.
The alliance includes such famous manufacturers as Lotus, McLaren and Aston Martin.
The EU wants to cut CO2 emissions from vehicles by up to 60 per cent by the year 2050 compared with 1990 levels.
Owen, who is based in the commission's directorate general for climate action, said that innovation would be the "key" to achieving such targets.
"These standards may be challenging but I believe they will allow our sports car manufacturers such as those represented here today to compete.
"The message I am trying to convey is that here in Europe we need a healthy and competitive automobile industry, not least at a time of economic downturn such as we are experiencing."
The meeting also heard from UK Tory MEP Martin Callanan that small volume manufacturers are among the "key contributors" to Europe's car industry.
"They are at the forefront in terms of technology, innovation and employment," said Callanan, who leads the Tory MEP delegation in parliament.
Both were speaking at an event at the city's Bibliotheque Solvay which showcased new technologies such as a Lotus Elise, Lotus Evora, McLaren MP412C as well as other Aston Martin and Wiesmann cars.
Meanwhile, a separate exhibition outside parliament showcased latest technology promoting "indoor" air quality.
Sirpa Pietikainen, a Finnish EPP deputy, said, "Indoor air quality is, unfortunately, overlooked by European policymakers.
"Every year, more than 300,000 Europeans die prematurely from the health impact of air pollution and indoor air can be 50 times more polluted than outdoor air."
The MEP, a member of the environment and public health committee, said, "Despite these alarming facts, there has been relatively little EU focus on indoor air quality.
"Soft legislation in the area of indoor air quality has not been followed up by concrete measures."
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