We Need a New, Feasible Step-by-step Plan

CLEPA President Advocates More Openness to Technology, Stable Political Framework Conditions and Innovation Funding

Between the poles of innovation and transformation: In his keynote speech at the 12th International Engine Congress, CLEPA President Matthias Zink will shed light on the current challenges facing the industry from the perspective of supplier companies. In an interview beforehand, he pleads for more openness to technology and explains what the association currently expects from the political side.
 

How is CLEPA positioning itself with regard to the sustainable mobility of tomorrow and what are the association's priorities?

As the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, we represent 120 member companies and twelve national associations. This gives us a broad market position and a comprehensive perspective. We are fully committed to decarbonization and the Green Deal. The goal is clear to us, but we want to openly discuss the way to get there.
 

What do you think could be a viable approach?

The unanimous opinion among our pan-European members is that we need more technological openness and feasible concepts instead of over-regulation or discrimination against or preference for individual technologies. Even if some people want to focus on a single technology, this will not be enough for rapid and efficient decarbonization.
 

How high are your hopes for a new political direction?

A variety of positive discussions are currently underway. CLEPA's positions are being recognized in the political arena and people are talking to us and our members. We see this as very positive. I am therefore confident that there will be an adjustment to the current regulatory requirements.
 

How do you assess the future of the combustion engine in view of the climate targets and the political situation?

The longer-term plan with the categorical end of combustion engines in 2035 will be questioned again in Europe, in this respect I am very sure. One thing is important: the next attempt at a phased plan must be feasible and communicable.

In addition, we must not lose sight of the pressure of the facts, for example the still very different levels of development of an electromobility infrastructure in the European countries. If we ignore what is actually feasible or its limits, we risk damaging e-mobility in the long term – and we must not do that. If things are not factually feasible or some products are not accepted by end customers, that would be the worst scenario for us all.
 

What steps does CLEPA consider crucial in order to achieve a balance between environmental friendliness and economic efficiency?

Profitability is also one of these factual aspects that a new, well-thought-out step-by-step plan should reflect: The majority of our members are on the verge of profitability. The announced job cuts and restructuring programs in many companies are sending out alarming signals.

Overall, our industry is at a critical point. At the same time, we face the challenge of mastering decarbonization. CLEPA is therefore not advocating a postponement of e-mobility, but rather more openness to technology, the inclusion of e-fuels in fleet values and the consideration of hydrogen technologies.
 

At the same time, market and innovation pressure is growing, driven in particular by Chinese manufacturers. How do you assess the competitiveness of the European automotive industry in comparison?

There is no question that the competition is challenging, with really good and innovative products being manufactured in China. It is therefore more important than ever to take this competition very seriously. We need more agility and innovation, we should rethink all our processes. As a European industry, we need to show more courage, we need to be really innovative again and at the same time remain competitive in terms of costs.

We can currently observe an interesting development on the Chinese market: The real winners there are not battery-powered electric vehicles – but plug-in hybrids and even vehicles with range extenders, which combine electric mobility with combustion engine advantages in terms of range, flexibility and infrastructure.
 

What do you expect from politics in this situation?

When it comes to innovative strength, agility and other classic virtues of the German and European automotive industry, politics cannot help us. However, politics can support us with stable framework conditions – for example, by reducing the risk of investing in new technologies.

For this reason, I would like to see more planning security through a wider range of technologies, an adequate infrastructure and funding programs that stimulate innovation. With an adapted step-by-step plan, companies will also find it easier again economically, despite all the tense framework conditions we are currently facing.
 

To what extent does customer behavior also contribute to changing the original EU plan?

In fact, we cannot afford to bypass the end customer and ignore consumer wishes. There is no question that electromobility is a fascinating technology that will prevail in the long term. The industry has already achieved and learned a great deal in this respect. However, it is possible to design longer transition scenarios without getting bogged down. The opinion of OEMs on this issue has also changed considerably in recent months, and instead of the premise of “only electromobility”, a more balanced position now prevails.
 

In your opinion, what role can e-fuels play in achieving the climate targets in the transport sector?

E-fuels are generally justified, as they enable faster CO2 savings in existing fleets. CLEPA is therefore in favor of approving e-fuels and including them in the overall view of a forward-looking step-by-step plan.
 

What are your expectations of the International Engine Congress?

I am very much looking forward to the congress, as it offers the opportunity to discuss pressing issues from an engineering perspective in a completely open manner, while also allowing for technological alternatives. A pragmatic approach and a feasible set of regulations are particularly important now in order to give companies planning security for the future.